Chaffetz: I Should Be House Speaker Because I’m Better On Camera (VIDEO)

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), who announced over the weekend that he will run for speaker of the House, said on Monday morning that he would make a better speaker than House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) because he is better at television interviews.

When asked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” about McCarthy’s controversial comment last week that the Select Committee on Benghazi had been successful in hurting Hillary Clinton politically, Chaffetz took a softer tone. Last week, Chaffetz hit slammed McCarthy’s statement as “inappropriate” and “inaccurate,” calling on the majority leader to apologize. But on Monday he suggested that McCarthy should be forgiven.

“It was a terrible mistake, but it was a mistake. Kevin normally doesn’t do that — that’s not who he is. It was unfortunate. It was wrong. He’s apologized for it. I believe him. We have to move on. I think it’s an important committee doing important work,” Chaffetz said on MSNBC.

Then, when asked if McCarthy’s comments hurt his chances at becoming speaker, Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, touted his speaking skills.

“I’m arguing that one of my strong suits is actually going on camera and going before the media and making the case to the American people. I think everyone has plusses and minuses,” he said. “One of the reasons we have such a strong majority in the House is because of Kevin McCarthy. I’m trying to unite the party, I’m not trying to divide it.”

Co-host Joe Scarborough then asked Chaffetz if he thought he was better on television then McCarthy. Chaffetz said he felt he was better on camera.

“I want a speaker who speaks. I think that’s what our conference wants,” he said.

Watch part of the interview below: