# House Speaker Contest **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 12, 2022, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770 "2022-11-12T00:48:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 101
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2001 "2023-01-07T17:25:01Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Republicans couldn’t bend left, not really. They’ve spent the last 14 years screeching about how utterly evil and depraved democrats are. Compromising with Satan would be political suicide. Indeed, I agree 100%. But I take it you haven’t read this entire thread 🙂 To contradict myself, I did just run across this tweet from last night from Ilhan Omar, which suggests that some moderate republicans might not vote for the McCarthy-negotiated rules package: > > > Brian J. Karem @BrianKarem For the record, I think this is continued fantasy thinking by people who want there to be some sanity in the GOP against all evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2002 "2023-01-07T17:30:09Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > For the record, I think this is continued fantasy thinking by people who want there to be some sanity in the GOP against all evidence. There is evidence. There are some newly-elected Republicans coming from heavily Democratic areas, mainly in New York, and they number around 11 – enough to ruin the Howling Monkey Caucus’s plans. It’s not just a fantasy that some moderate Republicans who may wish to hold their seats will prefer to caucus with Dems if the HMC and most of the existing reelected Republicans try to impose too much chaos. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2003 "2023-01-07T17:36:17Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It’s not just a fantasy that some moderate Republicans who may wish to hold their seats will prefer to caucus with Dems if the HMC and most of the existing reelected Republicans try to impose too much chaos. “may wish” That sounds more like speculation than evidence to me. The only evidence of any kind of actual negotiation with Dems during this debacle that I’ve seen is the tweet I quoted above. And note that Omar was re-tweeting someone else, not saying she herself was involved in any discussions. I’d be delighted to see some more evidence of _actual_ moderate GOP/Dem discussions if you can post it. Do you think moderate repubs will sink the rules McCarthy negotiated with the Freedom Caucus when the vote comes on Monday? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2004 "2023-01-07T17:41:42Z")
It would be hilarious if Kevin put up the negotiated rules for a vote, thus fulfilling the promise and then it gets voted down. Not going to happen though. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2005 "2023-01-07T17:44:01Z")
Moderating: Let’s have the discussion on rules and concessions in this thread, please: > [@Concerning the McCarthy concessions to become House Speaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-mccarthy-concessions-to-become-house-speaker/977794): > > How binding are the concessions McCarthy has agreed to with the “Never Kevins”? What is/are the likely result(s) if he reneges on any/all of them if he takes office? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2006 "2023-01-07T17:44:41Z")
Seeing mod note that beat me by seconds I am deleting my post. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2007 "2023-01-07T17:46:58Z")
I replied to you in the referenced thread. I thought I’d linked your post in the other thread, but it didn’t show up that way. Not sure why. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2008 "2023-01-07T17:47:58Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > For the record, I think this is continued fantasy thinking by people who want there to be some sanity in the GOP against all evidence. The moderates were loyal to McCarthy from the beginning and they need to be sold out to blackmailers? They should vote it down and let KM deal with the situation he created. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2009 "2023-01-07T17:48:27Z")
Moderating: Please heed the mod notes. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2010 "2023-01-07T17:53:40Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I replied to you in the referenced thread. I thought I’d linked your post in the other thread, but it didn’t show up that way. Not sure why. Thanks, I will pop over there to continue the discussion! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2011 "2023-01-07T18:02:15Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It’s not just a fantasy that some moderate Republicans who may wish to hold their seats will prefer to caucus with Dems if the HMC and most of the existing reelected Republicans try to impose too much chaos. That was the premise of the opening of this thread. And perceived odds of that went from never ever at best one in hundred thousand to damn maybe only unlikely, then back to fantasy. I completely agree that those dozenish’s best interests in their districts would have been to avoid too much chaos and Howlers being in control. But if this hostage situation didn’t cross their line it is hard to imagine anything that will. ETA now seeing mod note but since the specific comment is directly on point of the actual op I am not removing. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2012 "2023-01-07T18:04:14Z")
Sorry to have spoilered the outcome a few days ago. A bunch of holdouts voting present was the only logical ending given the known facts. 1. Kevin McCarthy was manically obsessed with becoming Speaker. 2. Kevin McCarthy does not have a spine. Those two were both necessary _and_ sufficient. He would give away his later power in trade for the title. Having gotten what they wanted, the holdouts who weren’t complete assholes - call them ssholes - could switch votes and the complete assholes, even the aaassholes, didn’t have to vote for him. Both sides can now claim victory. Will it hold up? The known facts say that the most logical ending is a continual stream of backstabbing and betrayal, along with more hostage taking. Assholes insane with power. I bet we stop laughing all too soon. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2013 "2023-01-07T18:09:30Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Moderating: > > Please heed the mod notes. Thanks. Was that directed to me? Because I was talking about how the concessions could backfire. I thought that was still within the rules ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2014 "2023-01-07T18:12:26Z")
It was directed at you. This thread was for discussion about the election of a House Speaker. Concessions made and what happens past the Speaker race belong in the above-referenced thread. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2015 "2023-01-07T18:32:27Z")
My mistake. When I read your note and it said “this thread” I thought you meant THIS thread not the referenced thread. I plead dealing with new appliances being dropped off on only 2 cups of coffee while trying to Straight Dope. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2016 "2023-01-07T18:34:09Z")
No worries. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2017 "2023-01-07T20:44:02Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Why would the Clerk of the House swear in the Senate??? Typo. Mea Culpa. Would that be the most substantive issue you have with the proposal? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2018 "2023-01-07T20:59:50Z")
How do you propose getting a majority of the House to enact such changes, regardless of which party is in the majority? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2019 "2023-01-07T21:01:04Z")
Moderating, again: > [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Typo. Mea Culpa. > Would that be the most substantive issue you have with the proposal? > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > How do you propose getting a majority of the House to enact such changes, regardless of which party is in the majority? You’re in the wrong thread to discuss rules changes, concessions and procedures. Please heed the mod notes. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/2020 "2023-01-07T21:10:48Z")
This thread having served its purpose as a follow-along for the House Speaker election, and that election having now been accomplished, I’m closing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=100) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=102)