# 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:** 37
**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, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/721 "2023-01-04T18:52:13Z")
But McCarthy has 201 and Jeffries has 212 currently. ---
**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, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/722 "2023-01-04T18:52:53Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > 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. I don’t see what advantage Democrats would find behind doing this parliamentary move, nor what it’d do for the nation. The Democrats’ best move right now is to stay united and provide a contrast to Republicans. ---
**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, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/723 "2023-01-04T18:53:10Z")
Yeah the plurality was after 57 ballots in one case and IIRC over 100 ballots the other time. ---
**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, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/724 "2023-01-04T18:53:17Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > 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? The problem is that even with McCarthy as Speaker, actual good work isn’t going to get done. It’ll just be the Never Kevin’s plus Jim Jordan being allowed to run things from their minority positions. ---
**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, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/725 "2023-01-04T18:54:27Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > But McCarthy has 201 and Jeffries has 212 currently . It’s a game of chicken effectively giving the Never-McCs a choice between McCarthy or Jeffries. In other words, a vote for anybody but McCarthy is a vote for a Democrat. ---
**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, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/726 "2023-01-04T18:55:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I don’t see what advantage Democrats would find behind doing this parliamentary move, See what the split is for the true moderates. I’m not saying that it will win the Speakership but suppose 8 Pubs for for a true moderate, Jeffries now has a list of 8 Pubs to whip which is huge with this razor thin majority. ---
**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, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/727 "2023-01-04T18:57:32Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > See what the split is for the true moderates. I’m not saying that it will win the Speakership but suppose 8 Pubs for for a true moderate, Jeffries now has a list of 8 Pubs to whip which is huge with this razor thin majority. This would be a super-dangerous move for the McCarthy-supporting Republicans, lowering whatever unity they have. I don’t think it’d work out the way you’re suggesting. ---
**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, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/728 "2023-01-04T18:57:44Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > The problem is that even with McCarthy as Speaker, actual good work isn’t going to get done. It’ll just be the Never Kevin’s plus Jim Jordan being allowed to run things from their minority positions. This, exactly. Democrats have no interest in furthering the goals of McCarthy, who has agreed to let the Never-Kevins run whatever stupid, baseless investigations they want and do everything they can to frustrate day-to-day governance. I suspect there is a clot of “moderate” Republicans who also think that in this direction lies madness. They, too, would like to get back to some semblance of normal governance. When they’ve had enough of this, they’ll start talking to Dems with actual concessions. Meanwhile, Dems can afford to sit back and watch the snake eat its own tail. ---
**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, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/729 "2023-01-04T18:57:45Z")
Here we go. With the same 3 if the votes stay the same (maybe Spartz picks a side) then where do they go from here? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/730 "2023-01-04T18:58:22Z")
Anybody the Dems nominate would be in great danger of being primaried in 2 years. On the other hand that could be seen as an advantage for the Dems. (Moderate losses primary, unelectable MAGAt losses the general) ---
**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 4, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/731 "2023-01-04T18:59:05Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Watching [https://live.house.gov/](https://live.house.gov/) > Very animated discussion going on with the Pubs. I was watching the group around Gaetz and Roy. This was the one that was rather animated or possibly heated. I noticed our friend George Santos lurking and listening in. Also Dusty Johnson who is part of the bi-partisan Problem Solvers caucus was in that group. He’s rather interesting as he voted against removing Cheney from leadership. Also one of the few GOPers to vote with Ds to establish the non-partisan January 6 committee that was voted down in the Senate. ---
**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, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/732 "2023-01-04T18:59:10Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This would be a super-dangerous move for the McCarthy-supporting Republicans. I don’t think it’d work out the way you’re hoping. Not hoping for anything (except the ModR gets elected which won’t happen). Just curious what it looks like if the vote has a non-Trump Pub running. ---
**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, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/733 "2023-01-04T18:59:32Z")
Three votes for Donalds, by the time we reach Boebert–looks like the nutjobs are standing firm. The same people who voted Donalds on the last vote are voting Donalds on this one. ---
**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, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/734 "2023-01-04T19:04:15Z")
huh, we are missing a few reps this time around… ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/735 "2023-01-04T19:04:17Z")
5th ballot has 5+ for Donalds again… lol ---
**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, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/736 "2023-01-04T19:06:06Z")
The room seems a lot emptier this time, and several people have been skipped over because they didn’t respond… And he loses another round. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/737 "2023-01-04T19:09:12Z")
And Donalds votes for himself again. I’ve noticed the absences as well, but I’m sure they will return by the end of the alphabet, and will be called upon to vote then. Bathroom breaks right now, I’d guess. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/738 "2023-01-04T19:09:37Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > BUt there’s no way they should trust him farther than they can throw him. They shouldn’t _trust_ him, but they should realize that, in this scenario, _they have power over him_. If McCarthy gets in on the backs of Democratic votes, the Howler Monkey Caucus is going to go even crazier. They’ll spend the whole term looking for the votes they need to turf McCarthy. And some of those votes will have to come from the Democrats, most likely. The Dems need to make it clear to McCarty: “We know you want to screw us on this deal, because it’s in your nature to be a shit weasel. But, remember: if you _do_ screw us, we’ll let the Howler Monkey Caucus have their way with you.” ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/739 "2023-01-04T19:09:41Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > When they’ve had enough of this, they’ll start talking to Dems with actual concessions. It will be at least another two weeks , (and more likely a month) of deadlock before there is any possibility of a solution for which the voting pattern of the Democrats is relevant. For either the Democrats or the Republicans to cross party lines to end the stalemate, there needs to be the political cover that comes from the entire country being sick of it. Before than I think we will either see McCarthy drop out or McCarthy cave to emasculating restrictions. I don’t see the Freedom Caucus caving since their constituency value purity of accomplishment. ---
**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, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770/740 "2023-01-04T19:09:58Z")
some of the absent are in the 20 that are dug in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-speaker-contest/974770.md?page=38)