# 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:** 35
**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, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/681 "2023-01-04T18:18:52Z")
it takes 2 votes present to take the majority vote down one. this could pull jeffries into the seat. ---
**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, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/682 "2023-01-04T18:20:38Z")
Well, she had a pretty tight race in 2020, but an easy win in 2022. She was a Tea Party member and is eyeing a Senate run in 2024. So probably not a moderate looking for a compromise candidate… ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/683 "2023-01-04T18:21:09Z")
Aren’t people allowed to change their vote before it’s finalized? The Present voters or the alternative voters can change to avoid a Jeffries win. ---
**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, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/684 "2023-01-04T18:22:54Z")
there is a limited time to do that. at this point voting present will only work for mccarthy if democrats do it. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/685 "2023-01-04T18:25:17Z")
Does anyone know if there is an mp3 audio only stream where I can listen to this? I tried NPR and CSPAN and could only find video links. ---
**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, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/686 "2023-01-04T18:25:53Z")
Did I miss the Clerk announcing the vote totals? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/687 "2023-01-04T18:26:45Z")
I have to wonder, unlikely as it is - what if, through Republican dysfunction and incompetence, Jeffries gets a majority? Does he get to stay speaker for the whole term, or is there a mechanism by which Republicans could remove 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, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/688 "2023-01-04T18:26:51Z")
Watching [https://live.house.gov/](https://live.house.gov/) Very animated discussion going on with the Pubs. ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/689 "2023-01-04T18:27:10Z")
CSPAN just said there has been reporting that McCarthy is in talks with the Democrats. Hmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/690 "2023-01-04T18:28:52Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > But that’s sort of the point. It’s not “The GOP” who wants Gym Jordan, it’s a small group of radicals who want him. The radicals don’t actually want anyone. Yesterday they were voting for Biggs, then Jordan, and today it’s Donalds. They have no plans, no policies, no people that they actually support. They only know that they want to stop the things they don’t like, but they have nothing better to replace them with. ---
**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, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/691 "2023-01-04T18:30:26Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Does he get to stay speaker for the whole term, or is there a mechanism by which Republicans could remove him? Sec. 2 . Term of Office; Vacancy Term Limit The Speaker’s term of office begins on his taking of his oath of office, which immediately follows his election and opening remarks. The term ends on the expiration of the Congress in which he was elected, unless he has resigned, died, or been removed from office. Vacancy The Office of Speaker may be declared vacant by resolution, which may be offered as a matter of privilege. ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/692 "2023-01-04T18:30:39Z")
This is interesting but what mechanism is there to hold him to his word? He can promise no laptop investigation but then start one anyway. Maybe extra committee assignments but what does that really do? ---
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/693 "2023-01-04T18:35:04Z")
More journalism math: CNN is reporting that with Spartz voting present the threshold goes down to 217. Nope! Unless someone is absent (so correct me if someone is) with one “present” there are still 434 votes and a majority is _more than_ half so still 218. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/694 "2023-01-04T18:35:37Z")
Not a single conservative was swayed by Trump’s public plea to vote for McCarthy. They didn’t even feel the need to respond to it. Its amazing how much Trump has evaporated as a political consideration for Republicans. ---
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/695 "2023-01-04T18:35:54Z")
Equal representation on committees does quite a lot. Much more than “suppress an artificial scandal over someone who isn’t an office holder.” ---
**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, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/696 "2023-01-04T18:36:00Z")
I would imagine any discussion with Democrats at this point is whether they would support a motion to adjourn or force the GOP to have another ballot. ---
**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, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/697 "2023-01-04T18:36:20Z")
[Centrist Republican says 'preliminary talks with Democrats underway](https://thehill.com/homenews/3798485-centrist-republican-says-preliminary-talks-with-democrats-underway-on-speaker-deal/) but…[Democrats not ready to bail out GOP: ‘This is on them.’](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3798482-democrats-not-ready-to-bail-out-gop-this-is-on-them/) ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/698 "2023-01-04T18:36:20Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This is interesting but what mechanism is there to hold him to his word? And this is the fundamental problem McCarthy has in trying to bring Dems into his corner. No one trusts him, and with good reason. At this point, I don’t see any incentive for Dems to work with McCarthy. Maybe someone else, but right now, it seems that sticking with Jeffries is by far and away their best choice. I’ve long thought the only way for Republicans out of this mess is for so-called “moderate” Republicans to work with the Democrats. We’ll see if I’m right, but I suspect it will take some time if it is to come to pass. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/699 "2023-01-04T18:36:39Z")
There’s an empty seat currently, so there are only 434 members. ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/700 "2023-01-04T18:37:22Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > That’s all well and good for awhile, but if they don’t get any more than 20 I don’t really think they can hold out for more than a week or so. It just begins to look really stupid after awhile. Which member of the Freedom Caucus is worried about looking really stupid? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=34) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=36)