Which is better for McCarthy - 218 Rs or 217 Rs in January 2023?

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

That's insane. 

McCarthy has no interest in governing, he just wants to stop Democrats.  He would be much, much, more effective at doing that with a slim majority. 

It wouldn't matter at all if Republicans can't actually accomplish anything legislatively; even with a decent majority, they wouldn't be able to do much with a Democratic Senate and President.  They -would- be able to launch investigations with a slim majority, which is more important to the GOP priorities of pure expressive politics anyway.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

The OP question posited I think may well have an tacit erroneous assumption embedded in it, to wit, that if 218 Pubs are elected to the House, that McCarthy will be elected speaker. I will leave it at that for the moment, other than to say, it would be a wet dream for me to be one of those 218 R's, trust me. 

OK, but if Republicans somehow win less than 218 seats, it’s hard to see how McCarthy remains minority leader.