In the chaos of the Speaker’s race, Rep. Byron Donalds has shown that he’s a force to be reckoned with and a new face to look at for conservative leadership.

It’s why the 20 folks objecting to the election of Rep. Kevin McCarthy rallied around Donalds as their choice.

As my colleague Sister Toldjah reported, when he was asked if he feared any retribution as a result of opposing someone who could become the next speaker, Donalds response was an instant classic. “Man, I’m 6’2″, 275. I’m not worried about that,” Donalds declared. Now that’s beast mode.

Donalds was also the second black person nominated for Speaker of the House. But instead of heralding that, that earned him a lot of ire from a member of “The Squad” Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO). She made a contemptuous attack on him. It sounded a lot like she called him an “Uncle Tom.”

FWIW, @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop. Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy.

His name being in the mix is not progress—it’s pathetic.

— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) January 4, 2023

“FWIW, @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker,” Bush whined. “He is a prop. Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy. His name being in the mix is not progress—it’s pathetic.”

In other words, if you are not a left-wing radical like Bush, you are not an “acceptable” black person. That’s a disgusting, racist smear. What complete and utter lies she spreads about him as well. No, Rep. Bush, he’s a conservative and believes in empowering people, whereas you believe in trying to control people to do what you want.

But Donalds showed what a class act he was in the face of such a vile attack.

FWIW, nobody asked @CoriBush her opinion on the matter. Before you judge my agenda, let's have a debate over the policies and the outcomes. Until then, don't be a crab in a barrel! https://t.co/QF2OubL4mO

— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 4, 2023

“FWIW, nobody asked @CoriBush her opinion on the matter,” Donalds replied. “Before you judge my agenda, let’s have a debate over the policies and the outcomes. Until then, don’t be a crab in a barrel!”

That’s the way to do it — call her out to justify her own policies. But the left doesn’t want to do that because those policies have failed people for decades. They can’t defend themselves. That’s what conservatives need to do more of — call out the emptiness of the leftist claims.

Byron Donalds’ responses to both the retribution question and Bush show his promise, and why the objectors see leadership ability in him. Whatever happens with the Speaker vote, the fight has shown that there are some good people coming up who are willing to fight on behalf of the people.