Two days ago, [mc_name name=’Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’W000806′ ] was a long shot candidate for Speaker of the House with barely any press mentions. He completely failed to gain traction.

But with Chaffetz in the race and [mc_name name=’Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’M001165′ ] making verbal gaffes undermining the Benghazi investigation, [mc_name name=’Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’W000806′ ] is suddenly in a prime position.

The House Freedom Caucus is the band of rebels who brought about the downfall of [mc_name name=’Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)’ chamber=’house’ mcid=’B000589′ ]. They have worked tirelessly for the conservative cause and saw Boehner continually shut the door in their faces. They have 40 members who, if they hold together, have enough votes to cause all sorts of jockeying and pivoting among Republican leaders.

They have united behind Webster for now because they have found neither Chaffetz nor McCarthy as acceptable alternatives. As I said the other day, it is ridiculous that the House Republicans can do no better. For now, at least, Webster is better and we should be encouraging all Republicans in the House to support him.

The frank and candid odds are that Webster does not have the votes to become Speaker. But by being there, he is in the perfect position to extract concessions from Republican leaders that will improve the position of the conservatives in the House of Representatives. That, in the Age of Boehner, is needed. He closed his door to conservatives who have now finally figured out they can unite to be a force in the House.

This is a very good thing.