Scalise is no longer in contention. So at this point they should coalesce around Jordan and vote for him.
What's Going on in the US House of Representatives?
- Thread starter ATeam
- Start date
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
Another GOP wrestling coach as House Speaker ...
AGAIN ???
What could possibly go wrong ?
They already tried Jordan and he got less Republican votes than Scalise in their closed-door meetings.
House Republicans are in an Interesting Place
At this point in the Republican caucus, it appears that any House Republican who runs for Speaker UNOPPOSED will lose.
The Republicans got themselves into this mess when they adopted the rule that any one member can make a motion to vacate the speaker's chair. With that rule still in place, they are powerless to reverse it unless they turn the the Democrats for help. But being more loyal to their party than they are to the House or the country, they are loathe to do that; preferring instead to sink deeper and deeper into the suicidal quicksand they created.
House Republicans can't govern.
At this point in the Republican caucus, it appears that any House Republican who runs for Speaker UNOPPOSED will lose.
The Republicans got themselves into this mess when they adopted the rule that any one member can make a motion to vacate the speaker's chair. With that rule still in place, they are powerless to reverse it unless they turn the the Democrats for help. But being more loyal to their party than they are to the House or the country, they are loathe to do that; preferring instead to sink deeper and deeper into the suicidal quicksand they created.
House Republicans can't govern.
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Jordan got fewer votes than Scalise when running against him, but Scalise is out now. So one would think the conference could now rally around the 2nd place Jordan, especially when Scalise - and Gaetz - said they would support him. But no, that compromise would make too much sense. Now an obscure nobody named Austin Scott from southern GA has declared himself a candidate against Jordan in this afternoon's vote. Apparently everybody is trying to get themselves noticed.
Jordan is well-placed in his position as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and it wouldn't hurt anything for him to stay there and continue the work he's been doing quite well. Would it be too much to ask for this flock of egotistical magpies to agree to compromise on Patrick McHenry, the current Speaker Pro Tem to serve out the next 12 months? That would also make too much sense. Regardless, this group should stay locked up in a room until someone emerges as the adult and makes them realize they need to put their petty differences on ice and agree to putting a Speaker in place before Monday.
You said it well. One would think .... But they don't seem to be thinking much beyond their uncompromising stands. Elected public officials should know better. But it does no good to tell them that. They have their own ideas about what should and should not be, and about what you should be thinking. They are the ones who know better, not you.
I'm content to leave him there too, not because he'd doing quite well, but because he's all smoke and no fire. Lots of noise. No essential difference being made. That's a good place to put someone who would be dangerous if he had real power. He's in a position of power now, but he is essentially powerless because he does not know how to exercise it.
We must also consider that, in the present state of affairs, no one in their right mind would want the speaker's job. The Republican caucus is clearly dysfunctional, and some among them are perfectly willing to break the agreements they enter into. And ... the rule that allows any member to move to vacate the chair remains in place. If by some miracle they elect a leader, it will take an even bigger miracle for them to allow themselves to be led.
As a citizen not in any party, it frustrates me that the House is shut down by antics like these. If I was a Republican who cares about my party's image and effectiveness, I'd be a lot more frustrated. I'm sorry Republicans who actually care about our country have to endure this. The world is a better place when people are happy. House Republicans are not giving their party members much to be happy about.
One way out if the mess is the way you suggest. Lock them up in a room until a speaker is produced. But that's not realistic. They had a rule against bringing mobile phones into these closed-door meetings. Marjorie Taylor Greene defied the rule saying she's not a 14 year old. By her date of birth, she is correct. But by the collective behavior of the Republican caucus these days, age 14 seems about right.
The other way out is for a small group of Republicans to say enough is enough, and to join with Democrats to produce a mutually agreeable speaker.
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Breaking News ....
"Breaking news," CNN says, "House Republicans have nominated Jim Jordan for House Speaker, but, guess what? He doesn't have the votes."
Washington Post: "On a second ballot, Republicans were asked if they would support Jordan on the House floor. Only 152 said yes — well below the threshold he would need [217]. Fifty-five members said no, and one voted present."
They're taking the weekend off. Proceedings to resume on Monday, reports say.
One analyst said something that made sense. The House Republicans have fragmented into groups that don't trust each other. There has been a breakdown of trust. No group has the votes to win, so they vote to make the other groups lose.
That seems to me to be the MAGA mindset in a nutshell. They aren't interested in governing for the greater good. They are interested in telling other people what they can't do. And if that means telling fellow Republicans what they can't do, that's just fine. It does not matter what or who they are talking about, they are right and they work very hard to make the other side wrong.
This is why you see the US House paralyzed these days. It is why you see the Michigan Republican party in a state of near collapse. It is why you see Republicans losing statewide abortion rights referendums again and again. Telling other people what's wrong with them is a toxic, losing and self-destructive strategy.
"Breaking news," CNN says, "House Republicans have nominated Jim Jordan for House Speaker, but, guess what? He doesn't have the votes."
Washington Post: "On a second ballot, Republicans were asked if they would support Jordan on the House floor. Only 152 said yes — well below the threshold he would need [217]. Fifty-five members said no, and one voted present."
They're taking the weekend off. Proceedings to resume on Monday, reports say.
One analyst said something that made sense. The House Republicans have fragmented into groups that don't trust each other. There has been a breakdown of trust. No group has the votes to win, so they vote to make the other groups lose.
That seems to me to be the MAGA mindset in a nutshell. They aren't interested in governing for the greater good. They are interested in telling other people what they can't do. And if that means telling fellow Republicans what they can't do, that's just fine. It does not matter what or who they are talking about, they are right and they work very hard to make the other side wrong.
This is why you see the US House paralyzed these days. It is why you see the Michigan Republican party in a state of near collapse. It is why you see Republicans losing statewide abortion rights referendums again and again. Telling other people what's wrong with them is a toxic, losing and self-destructive strategy.
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Maybe Not
I was thinking a bipartisan solution was the way out of the House Speaker mess, but maybe not.
"Despite all the chaos in their ranks, conservative Republicans say they have no concern that some in their party may heed the calls by Democrats to join them and elect a bipartisan speaker.
“'That’s the thing that gets you beat in a primary,' said Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla." (Source)
I was thinking a bipartisan solution was the way out of the House Speaker mess, but maybe not.
"Despite all the chaos in their ranks, conservative Republicans say they have no concern that some in their party may heed the calls by Democrats to join them and elect a bipartisan speaker.
“'That’s the thing that gets you beat in a primary,' said Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla." (Source)
Shutting down the US House and proving unable to govern is thing that gets you beat in the general election.
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
So basically you are saying that House Republicans lack sense.
I would agree ... but probably for different reasons.
Oh ... so you think there might be some of that going on do you ?
As an unhinged radical Jordan is a threat to the rule of law and the national security of the United States.
You really think he wants the job ?
It probably makes more sense at this point not to take the helm of Republican Clown Car ...
Ain't gonna happen ...
Question
If the House Republicans won't work with each other to elect a speaker, and they won't work with Democrats to elect a speaker, where does that leave us? How do we get out of this mess?
If the House Republicans won't work with each other to elect a speaker, and they won't work with Democrats to elect a speaker, where does that leave us? How do we get out of this mess?
One idea now being floated is Liz Cheney for House Speaker. That might work. She is a Republican. She is a conservative. The Democrats trust her. She has experience in the House. There are probably four or Republicans who would vote, or at least be absent from voting, to put her over the top.
This idea would be downright funny if it weren't entirely plausible; she'd fit right in with the Democrats, and it's not beyond the scope of reality that there would be five Republicans who would be stupid enough to vote for a sellout like Cheney who lost her primary bid in WY by 37 points - the 2nd worst defeat in GOP primary history. Of course this notion is being promoted by liberal media sites, but maybe just the thought of her coming back will be enough to scare some sense into the GOP conference and force them to get their act together. They may as well go ahead and vote for Hakeem Jeffries rather than bring back a turncoat like Liz Cheney who is highly unpopular among national Republicans.
Favorability of Liz Cheney U.S. by party 2022 | Statista
According to a survey conducted in July 2022, Democrats were more likely to see Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney in a favorable light.
www.statista.com
Quote of the Week
"You could put Jesus Christ up for Speaker of the House and he still wouldn't get 217 [Republican votes]."
Rep. Mark Alford (R) Texas
"You could put Jesus Christ up for Speaker of the House and he still wouldn't get 217 [Republican votes]."
Rep. Mark Alford (R) Texas
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RLENT
Veteran Expediter
'Approximately 20' House GOPers are plotting to ruin Jim Jordan's plan to become speaker
If it's what you say, I like it ... and the sooner the better !
If it's what you say, I like it ... and the sooner the better !
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
Only to the extent that she's not entirely insane (unlike most of her former party)
Cheney stood up and upheld her oath to support the rule of law and the Constitution ... unlike Jordan who likely conspired with Trump to plot insurrection against the United States.
Voting for Liz wouldn't be stupid ... it would be smart.
Someone in the Republican Party has to show some sane leadership.
That isn't the condemnation of Cheney that you think it is ... given that Republican Party by and large are incapable of governance and seem to have lost their collective minds.
She was in GOP leadership before Jan 6th ... an indication that she probably has some support.
... even if most of them may not have the balls to show it.
Jeffries would work too !
Steve Bannon talked about the dynamic going on with the House Republicans. There is a contingent of Republicans from mostly southern states. They aren’t MAGA even though their constituents are. They view Jordan as too much MAGA.
Probably why they would prefer Scott or even Cheney.
WarRoom — Home of ultraMAGA on GETTR : “You’ll See Who Actually Governs You”: Bannon Demands Expose Of Anti-MAGA Reps. Using Speaker Vote
“You’ll See Who Actually Governs You”: Bannon Demands Expose Of Anti-MAGA Reps. Using Speaker Vote
I'm not sure what to believe among the various reports. On one hand, there are reports like these that say Jordan will fall far short of the needed votes if his election comes up on the House floor this week.
On the other hand, there are reports that Jordan and his bomb-throwing far-right combatants will successfully intimidate Republicans into voting for Jordan by forcing a floor vote on the record and threatening to primary any Republican who votes against Jordan. Those reports point out the difference between the anti-Jordan votes cast on a secret ballot in a caucus meeting behind closed doors, and a public, on-the-record vote conducted on the House floor.
While I'm unsure how this will turn out, the bully-your-way-to-Speaker strategy is depressing. If you buy into it, you buy into the idea that a number of House Republicans are cowards who can be intimidated into voting for someone they would otherwise not. And you buy into the idea that it is perfectly fine, maybe even honorable, to use brute force against your fellow Republicans to get what you want ... as if doing that will somehow build trust and enhance intra-party friendships and make it easy for Jordan to lead if he wins ... as if this strategy is cost-free and will build no festering resentments of any kind.
The latter strategy involves no deal making or mutual back scratching. It's about intimidation and fear, and mobilizing Republican voters against Republicans. What Jordan wants, Jordan gets, and if he does not get it, you will pay a huge price. We'll run a candidate against you in your own primary in your own district and thereby end your political career.
I once said Trump could write a book called, "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People." By using this strategy, it seems Jordan is positioning himself to be the co-author. This is quite the contrast from Ronald Regan's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."
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Santos in a Financial Hole
Republican Representative Santos says he is running for reelection. Per his recently filed campaign finance report, he is refunding more money than he is taking in, and old campaign debts are newly disclosed. (Source)
His quarterly fundraising total of $1,704 and $23,000 cash on hand are not the numbers of a viable candidate. While House Republicans are doing everything they can to keep this guy seated, voters in his district do not seem willing to contribute to this incumbent's reelection campaign.
Republican Representative Santos says he is running for reelection. Per his recently filed campaign finance report, he is refunding more money than he is taking in, and old campaign debts are newly disclosed. (Source)
His quarterly fundraising total of $1,704 and $23,000 cash on hand are not the numbers of a viable candidate. While House Republicans are doing everything they can to keep this guy seated, voters in his district do not seem willing to contribute to this incumbent's reelection campaign.
I'm still not sure what to believe among the various reports, but this report comes just 18 hours ahead of tomorrow's House floor vote for speaker. If these votes hold, Jordan will lose his bid for Speaker.
"At least five Republicans say they do not plan to support Jordan on the first ballot Tuesday: Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).
Jordan picked up momentum on Tuesday, but if every member of the House votes on Tuesday, that opposition is enough to deny Jordan the gavel." (Source)
One Republican representative to say he's not voting for Jordan is Don Bacon (R-NE). He said, "I just can't abide by the fact that a small group violated the rules to get what they wanted. Now I'm supposed to play by the rules? So I think we've got to have consequences..."
Another is Ken Buck (R-CO). He said "“If he’s gonna lead this conference during a presidential election cycle, particularly a presidential election year with primaries and caucuses around the country, he’s gonna have to be strong and say Donald Trump didn’t win the election.”
I have not seen a recent list but I believe a number of Republican representatives have yet to declare their intentions in this matter. There may be more than five votes against Jordan tomorrow. On the other hand, one or more of the five may be staking out a negotiating position to gain something in return for their Jordan yes vote.
We will see. Voting starts at noon or soon thereafter.
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