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I realize it is very unlikely but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the possibility

That the Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could be elected Speaker of the House? McCarthy is said to be five votes short of a majority. Jeffries is only six votes short of a majority. IF everyone casts a vote. In these partisan times it is unlikely that Representatives are going to cross party lines to vote for the other, but what if enough Republicans are sufficiently turned off by the choice between the Never Kevin MAGA candidate and the ever-waffling, how can I buy your vote Kevin and simply votes present. It is a majority of those voting for a candidate by name, so each "present" vote (essentially abstaining) REDUCES the majority required, and if those voting "present" are Republicans McCarthy is counting on, the number of votes McCarthy has locked up shrinks at the same Jeffries shortfall from a majority vote shrinks as well.

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windinhishair · 61-69, M

The Republicans that don't want McCarthy are aware that casting a vote of PRESENT could in theory result in Jeffries being elected Speaker, so it is highly unlikely they will allow him to win. It is more likely that the first ballot will fail to elect McCarthy and that a few less right-wing Republicans join with all the Democrats to elect a moderate Republican as Speaker. It is going to be an interesting show, but this is just the opening act of the Republican Clown Show in the House for the next two years.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@windinhishair I think you are right. But what strikes me as strange is that all the talking head commentators across the full spectrum ignore even mentioning that is a very real and tangible risk the Republicans face in their infighting. And not all of them are the brightest bulb in the package when it comes to looking ahead at the consequences of their actions.

firefall · 61-69, M

@windinhishair you're attributing FAR too much forethought and intelligence to the Magats. I dont say its likely, but I'd say it is a small but perceptible chance

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@firefall Anything is possible with this group of miscreants, but I would put my money on one of the following: 1) McCarthy gives up whatever the whackadoodles want to squeak by with enough votes to become speaker, or 2) A moderate Republican becomes speaker with Democrat support and a few Republicans.

It might take many ballots to get to the end point, whenever that is.

Fungirlvape · 61-69, F

I would love it!! I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but I was thinking if MCarthy had any sense at all he would try to get Democratic votes, he’s too stupid to think that way.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@Fungirlvape Well, I thought about that as well. In less partisan times it would be the logical thing to do -- reach across the aisle and pick up a few of the more conservative or centrist Democrats. But the way he still courts Trump -- even while the MAGA extremists refuse to vote for him -- makes any attempt at bipartisanship futile. While I personally don't think the Democratic party would be as vicious as Trump and the Republicans to anyone crossing party lines, there still would be strong criticism and payback for voting for McCarthy. Perhaps not a less polarizing compromise candidate.

Fungirlvape · 61-69, F

@dancingtongue true, plus he’s such a liar with no backbone, nobody in the Democratic Party could trust him at all.

independentone · M

Why not draft Liz Cheney, she is conservative but fair, dems could all vote for her and the moderate conservatives would most likely support her. She could crush McCarthy.

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windinhishair · 61-69, M

@dancingtongue John Kasich would be a good choice, but I doubt it will happen. But if McCarthy can't make it as speaker tomorrow on the first ballot, we'll be back in territory last explored a century ago, in 1923.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@windinhishair Rep. Bob Good of the Never Kevin group is promising that a more mainstream conservative will emerge on the second ballot if McCarthy doesn't get it on the first ballot. Acknowledging that Rep. Biggs challenge on the first ballot has no chance of doing more than forcing additional ballots.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@dancingtongue That makes sense. It won't be a whackadoodle like Biggs or Perry or Jordan or MTG.

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

is your theory that "rogue republicans" will cross party lines, and vote a democrat? instead of simply dragging out the selection process for one of their own? has this ever happened in the history of the house of representatives?

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dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@SusanInFlorida[quote] hasn't happened in the lifetime of any living person either of us know[/quote]

But that is because the two major parties have had a strangle hold on our political system in our lifetime but, as has happened several times in our history, you are beginning to see fragmentation in both parties, the rise of independents, and some third/fourth parties begin to gain some traction.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@SusanInFlorida Your initial question did not include a caveat, and I responded to your question completely. Using a caveat later doesn't invalidate my initial response.

Bombogenesis is far from a "once in a generation event". It occurs on average about 45 times a year in the northern hemisphere and about 25 times a year in the southern hemisphere. Please stick to facts when you reference either weather or climatic events. Your propensity for making stuff up as you go is a poor look.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@dancingtongue Yes, indeed. Interesting, isn't it? It is entirely possible that Trump has killed off the Republican Party, and a new party will emerge from its ashes. One thing for certain is that the House will be at best a circus for at least the next two years.

justanothername · 51-55, M

I’m guessing that either way it won’t be an overwhelming majority lead of the house by either party?

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dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@windinhishair It will, because only a majority of those voting for candidates by name -- not a majority of total seats in the House -- is required.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@dancingtongue With one Democrat out, there will be 434 representatives, so a majority will still be 218. 217 would be a tie and that won't elect a speaker.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@windinhishair You're right.

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Maybe it’s gonna happen, the GOP don’t seem to have a basic understanding of how things work, this works in our favor.

scrood · 31-35

MTG will be Speaker

SevIsPamprinYouAlways · 56-60, F

@scrood

I always got a little uneasy looking at her, because her facial features always gave me the creeps, and never really knowing why:

[image deleted]

Until I read an article about Joe Paterno, and Jerry Sandusky was referenced, and it all came clear:

[image deleted]

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