# 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:** 29
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/561 "2023-01-04T15:51:04Z")
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**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 4, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/562 "2023-01-04T15:53:04Z")
things just went from bad to worse. mccarthy just wants to adjourn the house without calling votes today! of course this will take 218 votes as well. ---
**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 4, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/563 "2023-01-04T15:53:31Z")
I’m curious what would happen if someone nominated a moderate Republican or maybe even Liz Cheney. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/564 "2023-01-04T15:53:34Z")
For what stated reason? ---
**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 4, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/565 "2023-01-04T15:54:45Z")
i reckon they just want to avoid what happened yest… the team building must not have gone well. this was just announced. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/566 "2023-01-04T15:58:12Z")
If this goes on for days, could the Democrats just decide not to show up for the vote; “gifting” the speakership to McCarthy. There is no institutional upside to it, but it would likely give the Democrats public credit for the only decisive thing this congress is likely to do in the next two years. And having McCarthy owe his speakership to the other party would be seen as the ultimate emasculation to the GOP base. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/567 "2023-01-04T15:58:38Z")
So, are the newly elected members able to collect a paycheck, even if they haven’t been sworn in yet? ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/568 "2023-01-04T16:01:12Z")
here is the reporting. according to one dem last night, who paraphrased boehner, when your opponent is going to jump off a bridge, don’t push them. ## McCarthy allies want to adjourn for the day but he may not have the votes to delay a fourth ballot From CNN’s Manu Raju, Lauren Fox and Melanie Zanona House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy and his allies are holding active discussions about adjourning the House until Thursday — but they are uncertain to go that route because they may not have the votes to pull it off, according to multiple sources. **The reason:** Voting to adjourn would require 218 votes, and Democratic sources say they would actively whip against a motion to adjourn. Plus some Republicans will likely vote against it as well. If they don’t adjourn, the House would vote on the fourth ballot — and McCarthy’s team is nervous about the prospect of losing more votes and killing any chance of regaining momentum. ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/569 "2023-01-04T16:01:49Z")
I’m assuming so since they are allowed to vote for the Speaker so they are in effect already Representatives even though they are not sworn in. Just like the President is the President even if not sworn in even though they cannot discharge their duty as President until the swearing-in. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/570 "2023-01-04T16:03:02Z")
I assume they’ve spent all of the time since the third vote sweet-talking the Republicans and promising them stuff in exchange for their votes. He may know that he still doesn’t have the 218 votes and would prefer to delay until he does. ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/571 "2023-01-04T16:09:13Z")
he does not. at this point he is losing votes. if they do a fourth round, it will be more than 20 against him. ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/572 "2023-01-04T16:11:00Z")
It’s too bad Justin Amash is not still a Representative. We could have had our second coalition House ever. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/573 "2023-01-04T16:27:32Z")
Can’t get the votes to win, can’t get the votes to adjourn. At what point does McCarthy read the writing on the wall? It’s bad for America, probably, to have a putz like Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House, but if that’s what the GOP really wants I guess that’s where this ends up. But, of course, the Only-Kevin crew has enough votes to make that impossible too. What this really highlights for me is just how amazing it was that Nancy Pelosi was able to hold the Democrats together with such a small majority to pass really big legislation. Spectacular job by her and her team. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/574 "2023-01-04T16:29:25Z")
If _CBS Morning_ is to be believed, Democratic House members are telling their Republican colleagues, “call us when you’re ready to talk.” However, like an addict, you can’t help a Republican until they’re ready to ask for help. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/575 "2023-01-04T16:29:39Z")
I haven’t read the whole thread. Just wanted to say: “A House divided against itself _something-something-something_.” That very excellent President said that-- you know the one. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/576 "2023-01-04T16:30:23Z")
[Former Michigan Republican Congressman Fred Upton (Kate’s uncle!), who voted to impeach Trump after January 6 and retired when his district was combined with another Republican’s, is not opposed to serving as a compromise candidate.](https://thehill.com/homenews/3798233-fred-upton-talk-of-speaker-candidacy-is-intriguing/) He said he’d offer Dems equal representation on all committees as a sweetener for their support. Now, I’m not saying this is gonna happen, but it’s an interesting possibility. And speaking as a Democrat from Michigan, Upton’s not that bad. I could take this. Yes, he’s a Republican, but he’s not heinous. My congressional district was the one that was merged with his district during redistricting, and he opted not to get into a primary fight with my (shitbird) Congressman. I was actually hoping he would get into the primary, as I would much rather have him as my Congressperson than Bill Huizenga. I imagine every recently-retired moderate Republican is having stories done in their local papers about how they’d be a great compromise candidate right now, so I’m not reading too much into this. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/577 "2023-01-04T16:34:20Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > At what point does McCarthy read the writing on the wall? If the man struggles with counting this much, I don’t hold out much hope that he can actually read either. ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/578 "2023-01-04T16:38:02Z")
many ex republican representatives are saying that mccarthy will resign with in a year if he doesn’t become speaker. it would be very amusing if he does that and is replaced by a democrat. ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/579 "2023-01-04T16:38:22Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > If this goes on for days, could the Democrats just decide not to show up for the vote; “gifting” the speakership to McCarthy. There is no institutional upside to it, but it would likely give the Democrats public credit for the only decisive thing this congress is likely to do in the next two years. And having McCarthy owe his speakership to the other party would be seen as the ultimate emasculation to the GOP base. IMHO this would be the worst possible course of action for the Democrats. How would it benefit them? It would be the poker equivalent of folding before you’ve even looked at your cards just because the other guy has more chips. A McCarthy speakership won’t be any better than a Jim Jordan, Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, or Lauren Boebert speakership. The crazy right don’t want to govern, they want to throw (hopefully) metaphorical bombs. When you have bomb throwers throwing bombs, having a supposedly “sane” guy standing around while they do it isn’t going to be of any benefit. Better to let them continue to show the country their true colors and hope for better results in 2024. ---
**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 4, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/580 "2023-01-04T16:40:06Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > The point is to have a speaker with a gun at their head driving only where the few demand and otherwise doing nothing Yep. And this happening now of a combination of two shows (or prrceptions) of weakness: (a) “oh God please I **HAVE** to become Speaker!!!” (b) the realization THEY “owe” him NOTHING. (\*) The Great Red Wave did not happen, they won their seats on their own. (Sure, a Red Wave would have brought in more hardcore RW types, but it would have also meant enough among those that like Jordan, Crenshaw, MTG, could have been satisfied with what Kevin offered, expect to be able to deliver votes on their issues, and could ensure that no Dem plurality was even in discussion, thus making it easier to add up to 218. ) (\* and, Hell, they “owe” _ **Trump** _ nothing, for the same reason.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=30)