They will have to sort it out.
Do it until the next election, I suppose…
I was just reading that it’s not a majority of house members that’s need to win, but a majority of the votes cast. That gives somewhat of an off ramp to the 19 GOP dissenters to still make their protest noted, but at least 10 are going to have to switch to McCarthy to get him above Jeffries.
It’s an interesting one. Not sure what to expect. Back in the days of brokered political conventions, if one did not get over the hump on the first ballot, anything was possible. After two ballots support for a nominee could as easily erode as build. McCarthy may find himself in this situation with someone like Jim Jordan, who is supporting him now, allowing himself to be “drafted.” Not sure he has the votes either, though.
My fantasy would be for the Dems to pick someone like Boebert and convince six Republicans to vote for her. Would be hilarious. Definitely not in the cards, but one can dream.
This must be a fun day to be a Democratic whip, just keep making popcorn and keep everyone in the House. I think the most amusing outcome would be if the Republicans inadvertently strong-armed too many of their members into at least being absent, and ended up electing Jeffries.
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Yet another example of how the current era has broken a lot of the norms that made the system work in the past. For generations, a candidate in McCarthy’s position has simply bowed out.
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Third vote is complete and he only got 202 this time after 203 in each of the first two rounds. It’s only one vote lost but not a good sign.
Ive read 3 reports and not one said where the vote went. Do you know?
Jordan. He got 20 this round.
Ha ha ha, that one dude shouting no, didn’t want to go home
I was a little disappointed to find out there is an adjournment rule, so it is not like one of those absurd filibusters where all the beds come out of the Senate offices.
On the other hand, it means the Democrats can go, have a couple of drinks and some laughs, and be in place ready to keep holding that bar at 218 all day tomorrow
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The resurrection of a political career we thought was over!
I mean the lettuce of course.
Lolz that the most sensible government on the planet right now is led by a 30-something raver who does blow in the portaloos at music festivals.
Round Four : No Change
lol
Edit : “George Santos has been pretty consistent in his support for McCarthy but he appears to be in a huddle with some of the McCarthy defectors at the moment.”
double lol
How many times do they keep on voting?
And is there a point at which McCarthy has to step out of contention, as he couldn’t assume the leadership mantle even with his party having the majority?
Has he no shame? (Of course he doesn’t!)
Theoretically , it can go on indefinitely. If the rebels stick fast then eventually an alternative to McCarthy will have to be agreed upon.
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I was wondering the same thing and found this:
But the most notorious case of a prolonged Speaker election came in 1856, when the 34th Congress required 133 votes to come to a decision. With the slavery debate taking a key role in contemporary political consciousness and the recent dissolution of the Whig Party, the chamber was deeply divided and it took two months for a Speaker to be elected. While that two-month vote may stretch credulity, in theory there is no mechanism preventing a House Speaker vote from going on indefinitely . In the House nothing can begin until a new Speaker is elected, so no members of the 118th Congress have yet been sworn in.
Also, the Dems could withdraw a handful of votes to give McCarthy a majority of votes cast.
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Thanks for the info.
Hopefully the Dems continue to stay united, so the Republicans will have to find a way to get the votes they need.
It is ridiculous that post truth, election result denying, nut jobs, are holding the Republican Party to ransom.
If they get their way I fear it will go a long way to legitimizing their viewpoint, when there should be no place for it.
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It’s all they’ve done with congress since 2010. In terms of getting their way, this already is the point. They’ve made a show. They’ve fucked things up. They don’t really want anything more of substance more.
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