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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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.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@independentone It is a good idea, but even moderate Republicans know if they vote for Liz Cheney, who is worse than the devil to Republican voters, they will never be re-elected. So it is highly unlikely to happen.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@windinhishair Unfortunately, true. Back in the day when the people we elected realized they were elected to represent us voters of all stripes and not their party when it came time to govern rather than campaign, they would put on their big boy or girl hats and search for pragmatic solutions. But no more, given the never-ending campaigning cycle and the fear of reprisals. At this juncture choosing an outsider with no re-election worries and able to devote full attention to bringing some order, priorities, and process to the kindergarten they call the House makes a lot of sense. Cheney or even Boener & Ryan with their past experience as Speaker would make sense, but are unlikely. I've thought some outgoing Republican governors who got things done in Blue states would be good choices as well, although they might need a crash course in House rules. But the most promising one IMO, from Massachusetts, already accepted a job trying to right another sinking ship, the NCAA.

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.