Because …
Scalise would at this point instruct his supporters to vote McCarthy. He bides his time. No need to stab Cesar when Cesar will end up holding the door for you, instructing his supporters to follow you through.
And they will wring out every imaginable concession from McCarthy first assuming that those will follow through to Scalise.
Here we go again. McCarthy is slinging more babble in the press.
THEORETICALLY, the process is supposed to go “people are nominated; members vote; votes are tallied. No one wins? Make some deals. Lather-rinse-repeat.” THEORETICALLY, someone could nominate Scalise or some other Republican, and we could see the votes start creeping towards the new member until they get enough.
IN REALITY, the 202 Republicans have pledged their support to McCarthy. They probably all voted for him as House Majority Leader. It would be a show of party disloyalty if they voted against him (or even ran against him). Since McCarthy holds the fundraising purse strings, they would like some of that sweet sweet campaign cash, they’re not going to piss him off. Isn’t that why one of the “Never Kevins” is in the group - McCarthy didn’t give him any help after he primaried an incumbent (R)?
What prevents McCarthy from just promising whatever these 20 hardliners want, and then promptly withdrawing them once he does become Speaker? Are the promises going to be written and signed on paper with the force of contract?
I saw this in an article interviewing Bob Good,
275 present so they have a quorum. They are calling for the clerks to take their seats.
Vote 12 to begin.
McCarthy nominated.
Apparently God wants McCarthy as Speaker but last I checked, God wasn’t a Representative-elect.
They’re back in session now, and the clerk announced there were 275 members present. It’s enough for a quorum, but unless a lot of members are out in the hall somewhere, that’s going to make vote counting tricky.
It is my understanding that the maybe Kevin group want it in writing and read on the floor. The never Kevin group don’t care.
Those 20 will go public with what they were promised, and then publicly and relentlessly flog McCarthy for welching on those promises, further dividing the party and creating distractions. Hmm, put that way I am in favor of your suggestion!
One of the commentators on CNN yesterday was a retired GOP Representative. He said that most of the Never Kevins were in such safe GOP seats that they didn’t need any Party assistance. Their own fund-raising was more than enough to keep them competitive.
ETA: Wall Street Journal article makes this point:
A similar thing happened yesterday. I feel like they just count until they are sure that there are enough and stop counting.
Well, that remark about “staying at home and proxy voting” won’t endear McCarthy to the Democrats.
It’s a quick count until they establish a majority of members are present. It is not inclusive of all members. That is a Quorum Call which is different than a Point of Order to establish a quorum exists.
Yep, don’t expect help from the other side.
Note to McCarthy: Don’t have an asshole give your nomination speech.
Too late for that x12.
Ohhh, a big gun on the dem side.
who? Who, I say (thanks Discourse)
James Clyburn of (I believe) South Carolina.