Republicans in Disarray

[Res Ipsa]

Welcome to day three of Republicans in Disarray.

The Chaplain prays again. So far, she's 0-2. But hope springs eternal.

Am I the only one who thinks that these folks reciting the word "indivisible" in the pledge is ironic?

The now-traditional quorum call has been made. Only 311/434 present. Not sure if that means anything at all.

______________________________________

ROUND 7 -- Fight!!!

The Clerk reminds the members that among her duties is maintaining house decorum and gives a short lecture on expected House decorum.

(1) McCarthy, nominated by John James (MI). Interesting use of race by both sides in the conflict.

Reminds that last deadlock in picking a speaker was over slavery. Current differences are minor in comparison and are preventing Rs from doing what they all agree is important. Tells story about McCarthy being embarrassed because the D side of the house looked more like America than the R side. McCarthy worked to make the representation more diverse. We need to learn how to take a victory. [Pretty good nominating speech -- maybe one of the best]

(2) Jeffries

(3) Donalds, nominated by Dan Bishop (NC)

[Revival preacher style] We must take the historic opportunity to elect the first black Speaker of the House. Describes criticism of Donalds as racist. System is broken, blah, blah, blah. We mean it this time -- we're going to fix it. [Really, we promise] What they have been doing for the last two days IS the people's business. "We will go to the mat for the American people. Because we will be led by people of conviction."

Mouseketeer roll call time.

_____________________________________

No substantive change, but a little levity. Matt Gaetz switched his prior vote from Donalds to Trump. Scott Perry, Freedom Caucus chair voted late. I saw one other of the Anti-McCarthy group vote and then bolt off the floor. I'm guessing there was some sort of meeting going on. Press reports quote Perry as saying there is no deal and claiming that McCarthy has betrayed trust by leaking information about the negotiations.

[Some Schmo]

I still find myself in awe over there being enough people living in the right places to elect these assholes.

The GOP and their base have become utterly shameless, a sign they feel deep unconscious shame, as they should.

[Vēritās]

Kevin McCarthy has conceded his left testicle to Lorraine Boebert for her vote only to have her renneg on the deal after finding out both testicles have been safely stored away at Nancy Pelosi's house

[Res Ipsa]

Round 8 -- Fight!!!!

(1) McCarthy, nominated by Brian Mast (Florida).

[Speech appears intended to sway veterans in the Anti-McCarthy caucus. Emphasizing unity among veterans. Extends that to unity among Rs.]

McCarthy will give us the opportunity to do the things that we want to do. He's different than other R leaders -- he'd not a McConnell or Ryan or Boehner.

(2) Jeffries, nominated by Kathleen Clark (MA)

[Clark is the new D Whip. She gave a kind of a barn burner, listing all the things the Ds did for the American people last term, that the Rs voted no on. Very different tone from other speeches nominating Jeffries]

(3) Donalds, nominated by Biggs (AZ)

We have to change, not just the rules, but the leadership.

[This is why McCarthy's perpetual concessions aren't buying him any votes.]

We're together. We're just having an internal fight. [Refocuses the issue on changing the direction of the country] But to change direction requires a change in leadership.

Voting Time.

[Vēritās]

Epic ditz, Lorraine Boebert, appears on MSNBC for the first time only to get an education on how the Constitution works. Stephanie Ruhle has to explain to her that she ain't getting any "policies" pushed forward without a functioning Congress, which begins only after they choose leader in the House.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw1TSGqerkA&t=379s

[honorentheos]

So, big picture time.

It seems likely we will see one of two scenarios. One which is very unlikely, is the House votes to change the election rules to require only a plurality of votes to become the next speaker. I only see this happening if McCarthy absolutely refuses to give in, forcing the opposition to decide if they are willing to let Jefferies become Speaker rather than McCarthy take the gavel. I don't know what the odds are, but my instincts say he'd eventually cave to pressure if there is no chance he gets the votes...and I think that's the case.

The other, most likely scenario is bad. That being, the opposition to McCarthy ultimately succeed in forcing the rest of the party to accept their rule changes AND a Speaker who gives them the outsized influence on committee assignments, House rules and business, and defines their priorities in a way that tilts the boat further in the extremist MAGA direction. Slim but unlikely possibilities McCarthy stays in and manages to get holdouts to concede in this direction himself. But he'd have to be willing to be Speaker in name only and really, really denigrate himself to get there and I think he'd ultimately drop out or go nuclear with the plurality change first.

I think there is practically a zero percent chance a moderate Republicans becomes Speaker. The margin is too slim, the entrenched have no incentive to give in. Shamelessness has it's advantages...

I'm feeling dark about this the more I watch. I think the odds are this grabs the Overton window and yanks it hard. Plus, if they end up successful, expect the next Democrat majority to find itself in the same situation. This genie won't go back in the bottle easily.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Gaetz nominated Trump.

- Doc

[honorentheos]

Gaetz nominated Trump.

- Doc

I am surprised it took this long.

[Res Ipsa]

No substantive change in Round 8. Two dissenters switched to Kevin Hearn of OK. Gaetz stuck with Trump. One "present."

Round 9 -- Fight!!!!!

(1) McCarthy, nominated by Troy Nehls (Texas) (member of the Freedom Caucus)

We must come together today and work toward the change the country needs.

(2) Jeffries

(3) Donalds, Matt Rosendale (MT)

(4) Kevin Hearn (OK), nominated by Boebert (CO)

Gee, this is great. I love this debate. This is the longest debate we've had in a long time. I just love the conversations. We should just do this forever [slight exaggeration]

Hearn is a conservative, but he's not mad about it. [????]

Vote!

[Res Ipsa]

Gaetz nominated Trump.

- Doc

I don't think he nominated Trump. The reps aren't restricted to voting for nominees. So far, he's voted for Trump in two rounds. Both of those votes were included in the "other" total.