# 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:** 36
**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, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/701 "2023-01-04T18:38:17Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > There’s an empty seat currently, so there are only 434 members. OK. Thanks. What seat is it? ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/702 "2023-01-04T18:40:13Z")
Virginia 4th; Democrat Donald McEachin died of cancer in late November. ---
**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, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/703 "2023-01-04T18:40:19Z")
Well, maybe that is actually way out… Promise the Democrats that the 20 will be blackballed from all relevant committees. Nuke them from orbit. McCarthy must really want to do it, and never having to see Matt Gaetz or Lauren Boebert’s faces during an “investigative committee” might just be worth it for the Democrats. I doubt McCarthy could pull it off, but just maybe… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/704 "2023-01-04T18:41:25Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > 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. Indeed. Unwavering support (peppered with gratuitous praise) for an agreed candidate looks like strong, stable leadership. And doing so as the other party engages in chaos and backbiting and as their leading candidate slowly leaks votes will only make them look better. There will likely come a moment for them to start seriously wheeling and dealing, but letting the GOP get properly desperate first is the obvious negotiating move. ---
**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, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/705 "2023-01-04T18:41:52Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I have to wonder, unlikely as it is - what if, through Republican dysfunction and incompetence, Jeffries gets a majority? Twice before the Speakership was decided by a plurality (and affirmed by majority vote). With it being 213D vs 222R and if the voting stays the same then under those conditions 213 Jefferies - 202 McCarthy - 20 Other would potentially give him the Speakership. ---
**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, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/706 "2023-01-04T18:41:54Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Promise the Democrats that the 20 will be blackballed from all relevant committees. Nuke them from orbit. McCarthy must really want to do it, and never having to see Matt Gaetz or Lauren Boebert’s faces during an “investigative committee” might just be worth it for the Democrats. A promise easily broken. There is nothing he can promise that he can’t weasel out of. ---
**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, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/707 "2023-01-04T18:41:56Z")
the vote is official now. on to round 5. ---
**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, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/708 "2023-01-04T18:42:26Z")
Yeah, quite true. What a conundrum poor Rep McCarthy finds himself in. ---
**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, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/709 "2023-01-04T18:42:43Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > Virginia 4th; Democrat Donald McEachin died of cancer in late November. That explains why Jeffries only received 212 votes. ---
**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, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/710 "2023-01-04T18:43:43Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Well, maybe that is actually way out… > > Promise the Democrats that the 20 will be blackballed from all relevant committees. Nuke them from orbit. McCarthy must really want to do it, and never having to see Matt Gaetz or Lauren Boebert’s faces during an “investigative committee” might just be worth it for the Democrats. > > I doubt McCarthy could pull it off, but just maybe… No way. McCarthy is a spineless weasel, and he’s shown zero sign of willingness to stand up to the nutjobs so far. There is no promise he can make that the Democrats should believe. If he, _prior to the Democrats’ voting for him_, stands up and gives a speech in front of the cameras that publicly repudiates the idea of endless investigations, apologizes for not voting for Trump’s impeachment, and promises to work on a bipartisan basis, then and only then should Democrats agree to accept his vote for Jeffries. BUt there’s no way they should trust him farther than they can throw him. ---
**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, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/711 "2023-01-04T18:44:02Z")
it is usually 2 present to lower the vote count. 1 seat is empty, and 1 present equal one vote total drop. ---
**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, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/712 "2023-01-04T18:44:13Z")
At a time with several parties in the House, not just two. How are you going to get a majority to vote to change to a plurality takes it? ---
**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, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/713 "2023-01-04T18:46:21Z")
Who will the spoiler candidate be this time? Think they’ll keep Donalds or pick someone else? ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/714 "2023-01-04T18:47:38Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > [@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. Thanks. What does “privilege” mean in that context? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/715 "2023-01-04T18:47:47Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > 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. I don’t think so. When the Clerk announced the vote tallies yesterday, she always said something like « votes by last name » and therefore no Speaker was elected. I don’t think « present » counts as a vote. ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/716 "2023-01-04T18:47:53Z")
Two reasons: One, the House cannot function until a Speaker is elected. At what point do the Dems take the moral high ground and allow the House to move on to the work? Two, McCarthy has 213 votes but cannot get a majority. Does he push for a plurality vote rather than let it get to a point where he loses to a compromise candidate. ---
**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, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/717 "2023-01-04T18:48:24Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I don’t think so. When the Clerk announced the vote tallies yesterday, she always said something like « votes by last name » and therefore no Speaker was elected. I don’t think « present » counts as a vote. I knew that. I didn’t know there was a vacant seat. ---
**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, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/718 "2023-01-04T18:48:41Z")
I suspect they’ll stick with Donalds. They just need a willing goat – any goat will do – to send the message to McCarthy: “We don’t care who it is, so long as it’s not _you_.” ---
**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, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/719 "2023-01-04T18:49:58Z")
Here is an idea. What if a Dem nominates a true centrist like Joyce to see what happens? They wouldn’t have to vote for Joyce and could still vote for Jeffries during the election. ---
**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, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/720 "2023-01-04T18:52:13Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Thanks. What does “privilege” mean in that context? It means pertaining to the right of a member or the assembly or in this case the smooth running of the body. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=37)