# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/261 "2023-01-03T18:15:11Z")
First vote for a non member: Andy Harris votes for Lee Zeldin Jordan votes for McCarthy ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/262 "2023-01-03T18:15:53Z")
Jeffries votes Jeffries - and gets a standing ovation. Jordan votes… McCarthy. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/263 "2023-01-03T18:16:16Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Another vote for Jordan from Rep. Cloud(?). Michael Cloud of Corpus Christi. My representative 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/264 "2023-01-03T18:17:30Z")
McCarthy is now down 11 votes. More than I would have thought. And that number will grow since there are still at least 2 who were part of the Never-McCarthy 5. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/265 "2023-01-03T18:19:02Z")
This is fun and all, but in the end the Republicans will regroup and fall back in line. There will be no major difference or effect. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/266 "2023-01-03T18:19:54Z")
Does anyone have any insights as to why some of the Never Kevin’s are voting for Jordan instead of Biggs? If they’re already divided amongst themselves that could mean there’s room for McCarthy to negotiate with one of those factions and play them off against each other. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/267 "2023-01-03T18:21:54Z")
True enough that whether it is or is not McCarthy the next Speaker will be a Republican, will have a weakened position, and the Conference’s agenda will be obstruction, obstruction, obstruction. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/268 "2023-01-03T18:25:19Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Does anyone have any insights as to why some of the Never Kevin’s are voting for Jordan instead of Biggs? I do think there are two subtly different blocs - one is “Never McCarthy” in the sense that he is unfit to be the Speaker and the other is “McCarthy weakened” which just wants more concessions. I could see the second faction coming through for him after some meaningless grovelling, perhaps after a recess today or a failed second ballot. Not sure that it would be enough though. I can’t imagine the Democrats would bail him out by voting Present unless he gives them some concessions, which would be even more “traitorous” to the right-wing GOPers. Up to 13 non-McCarthy votes now. More than expected, I think. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/269 "2023-01-03T18:29:05Z")
wow, this is worse than anyone ever predicted. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/270 "2023-01-03T18:29:46Z")
When this is over will they go straight in to another vote, break for horse-trading and come back in an hour, give a bunch of floor speeches, or plan to come back tomorrow? Or some combination of the above? ETA 18 against Kevin now. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/271 "2023-01-03T18:30:22Z")
So what is the process? Does the House recess in between votes to allow for politicking? If I were to wager, I’d bet this is largely performative, and McCarthy will prevail relatively quickly. But I sure do wish all of them the worst! 😉 Nothing like self-inflicted wounds… ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/272 "2023-01-03T18:30:27Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > When this is over will they go straight in to another vote, Cage match? ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/273 "2023-01-03T18:32:21Z")
Pie fight might be more apropos. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/274 "2023-01-03T18:32:36Z")
Here’s the article I read yesterday. > **[McCarthy: Gaetz said ‘I don’t care’ if Jeffries wins Speakership instead of me](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3796629-mccarthy-gaetz-said-i-dont-care-if-jeffries-wins-speakership-instead-of-me/)** > > House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) criticized Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Tuesday after he reportedly told House GOP members that he doesn’t care if the chamber elects Rep. Hakeem Jeff… It’s going to be an interesting 2 years… ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/275 "2023-01-03T18:35:03Z")
Talking heads on MSNBC saying it is unlikely they will recess or adjourn after the 1st ballot. More likely they will have to politic and horse-trade on the fly. Someone said McCarthy and his people will be getting small groups in the cloak room(s) just off the floor and twist arms. Given the number of defectors being so high and several incoming freshman in that group McC may not even really know what some of them want. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/276 "2023-01-03T18:37:20Z")
Man, nearly 20 non-McCarthy votes. That’s not good for him… nearly 10% of what he needs to win. Not sure you can twist enough arms to make that happen. So does he have a backup plan? Or does he hold out as long as his vote total doesn’t go down on the second ballot? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/277 "2023-01-03T18:37:52Z")
i did not and do not want mccarthy as speaker, but whoa nelly, this is really, really, bad. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/278 "2023-01-03T18:38:18Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > So does he have a backup plan? Or does he hold out as long as his vote total doesn’t go down on the second ballot? Probably depends on what happens during the horse trading period. If they end up going to a 3rd ballot, I have a feeling Republicans are going to tell him he needs to step aside any throw his backing to Scalise or something. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/279 "2023-01-03T18:39:12Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > i did not and do not want mccarthy as speaker, but whoa nelly, this is really, really, bad. Bad for Republicans or bad for the Country? Usually those are different things, but I’m not sure in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/280 "2023-01-03T18:40:19Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Someone said McCarthy and his people will be getting small groups in the cloak room(s) just off the floor and twist arms. I’m just not sure that he has the muscles to twist any arms. They already threatened to excommunicate (er, deny committee seats to) the heretics, and that just hardened the heretics’ hearts. What more can he do? I also think he’s fresh out of carrots to offer to them. Either they’re playing out a game plan as they’d intended, or else McCarthy is doomed. If it’s the latter, I’m not sure who WILL be able to get a majority of votes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=15)