Republicans in Disarray

[Res Ipsa]

Results of round 11: no substantive change. Still 20 Anti-McCarthy votes and one "present." Trump got one vote. Guess who?

[Res Ipsa]

Can’t we get six Republicans with a conscience to vote for the Democrat? Why hand the SotH over to whackadoodles? This is .

- Doc

Political suicide.

[Vēritās]

Can’t we get six Republicans with a conscience to vote for the Democrat? Why hand the SotH over to whackadoodles? This is .

- Doc

The ones voting against KM are the real whackadoodle like Boebert and Gaetz. You think any of them would seriously vote for a Democrat? The others are just doing Trump's bidding.

[Res Ipsa]

Can’t we get six Republicans with a conscience to vote for the Democrat? Why hand the SotH over to whackadoodles? This is .

- Doc

The ones voting against KM are the real whackadoodle MAGATS like Boebert and Gaetz. You think any of them would seriously vote for a Democrat?

I think Doc meant six non-whackadoodles.

[Res Ipsa]

Motion to adjourn now being voted on.

Straight party-line vote, so it looks like we'll resume tomorrow.

[honorentheos]

Can’t we get six Republicans with a conscience to vote for the Democrat? Why hand the SotH over to whackadoodles? This is .

- Doc

Political suicide.

Yeah, there's near zero chance any Republicans would vote for Jefferies. I still think the three potential outcomes, in order of most likely to least likely, are:

Non-McCarthy Republican extremist Speaker elected.

Moderate Republicans make concessions to moderate Democrats and elect a moderate Republicans.

McCarthy calls the holdouts bluff and speaker elected via plurality of the votes.

I suspect that the plurality option would have to be spoken of seriously before the second option starts to be possible which so far isn't on the horizon. But I suspect Republicans would get uncomfortable leaving the Speaker Chair exposed for a Jefferies steal if four Republicans hold out. Gaetz, Boebert are two who would do it to screw McCarthy over and then play politics about it. Biggs and Gosart are likely as well. I think people would really sweat once McCarthy asserts he would rather see the Republicans fail than step away. So I have to imagine the pressure would rocket up for him to accept the "L" and make way. Then, we find out what kind of clown show we have invited in.

Honestly, I wish the Democrats and moderate Republicans would see the risk of extremism as mutually concerning and opt for the middle option. But how could they and not get primaried? Good times.

[Res Ipsa]

Political suicide.

Yeah, there's near zero chance any Republicans would vote for Jefferies. I still think the three potential outcomes, in order of most likely to least likely, are:

Non-McCarthy Republican extremist Speaker elected.

Moderate Republicans make concessions to moderate Democrats and elect a moderate Republicans.

McCarthy calls the holdouts bluff and speaker elected via plurality of the votes.

I suspect that the plurality option would have to be spoken of seriously before the second option starts to be possible which so far isn't on the horizon. But I suspect Republicans would get uncomfortable leaving the Speaker Chair exposed for a Jefferies steal if four Republicans hold out. Gaetz, Boebert are two who would do it to screw McCarthy over and then play politics about it. Biggs and Gosart are likely as well. I think people would really sweat once McCarthy asserts he would rather see the Republicans fail than step away. So I have to imagine the pressure would rocket up for him to accept the "L" and make way. Then, we find out what kind of clown show we have invited in.

Honestly, I wish the Democrats and moderate Republicans would see the risk of extremism as mutually concerning and opt for the middle option. But how could they and not get primaried? Good times.

Yep. I think your last two sentences pretty much cover the waterfront.

[Moksha]

Do you think McCarthy will pledge to end Social Security or bring back slavery to get the support of the Freedom Caucus?

[honorentheos]

Do you think McCarthy will pledge to end Social Security or bring back slavery to get the support of the Freedom Caucus?

No.

[Morley]

It's ironic and sad that McCarthy sold his soul for this. Ha. This.



I love your running commentary, Res.