End of an era. And we can’t even hope Santorum will replace him . . . 
Why does it matter? The Speakership does not come with the seat. This is no different from any of the 2 or 3 other open seats that are present at most given times, due to death or resignation. The next occupant is likely to be a Republican (hey, it’s Cincinnati), but will still be a freshman backbencher.
Because everybody keeps talking about how it’s so close to the next election. That’s not the way things work.
It might be sensible to set it up now, but in order to hold an election, you’ve got to have candidates. I think it would be only fair to allow a little time for potential candidates to collect signatures and support. I’m not even sure if the county boards of election could prepare so quickly. I believe they’ve already approved ballots for the November election with the statewide issues (three, not two – there’s also the one about monopolies, which some say could cause problems for the marijuana issue if both issues pass). And as said earlier, these off-year elections include a lot of local elections, issues, levy renewals, and so on, meaning just about every jurisdiction will have its own ballot. But aside from the fact that the seat won’t be vacant for another month, I think the major problem is allowing some time for candidates to come forward. I’m guessing that almost everyone in the district was caught flat-footed and unaware. It should be interesting!
By the way, I actually live in Boehner’s congressional district – which is not to say I’m one of his supporters. I still have my Coussoule for Congress t-shirt from about 3 elections back. There’s probably not much chance of this district going blue, but I continue to hope and dream.
OTOH, a lot of Republican politicians are doing just that.
And Oliver Stone called Obama the black George Bush.
Let’s be clear: I’m not calling Boehner a success. I am saying that he most likely did a better job than the vast majority of people who could have had that job.
I’ll grant Boehner this- he had an utterly impossible job. His caucus is simply ungovernable. There are too many members in safe districts whose one and only agenda is to oppose Obama and the Democrats on everything. For them, every vote must be no and there is to be no compromise on anything, ever. In the short term, we get a clean continuing resolution. In the long term, look for gridlock until after the elections.
If this McCarthy guy is the new Speaker, then the next in line to be the Republican leader in the House would be Whip Steve Scalise - who used to bill himself as “David Duke without the baggage”.
Their leader.
Let’s remember Boehner was terrible at getting votes and several times promised votes that didn’t materialize. Pelosi was ten times the Speaker that he was.
Keeping your head down while ignorant fucktards run the show and obstruct most every bit of the country’s business isn’t laudable. He cared more about protecting his gavel than he did about being proactive for the country.
Not that I think getting some Tea Party nutcase in his shoes is better, mind you.
There is something else going on here. And some of the sharpest reporters in the world are looking for it. I’d stake my reputation on it! OK, that and a nickel.
Things wont improve until the Tea Party disease dies. They hate government so much they’re perfectly willing to sabotage the whole country over Planned Parenthood.
Lets hope he uses the teat of his time wisely…by working with Pelosi and a few loyal Repubs to get shit done and screw the Teabaggers up, down, and sideways.
The governor needs “satisfactory information” of the vacancy. Seems to me he could take Boehner’s word as sufficient evidence that the seat will be vacant before the upcoming election date.
There is an Ohio general election on November 3, 2015.
I believe you have three registered candidates: Matthew Ashworth, J.D. Winteregg, and Dennis Smith.
And ain’t he?
Hmmm . . . McConnell next?
Just out of curioisty (since I imagine Boehner has this covered) would a motion to elect a new Speaker be in order now? Would Democrats support such a motion just to add to GOP humiliation?
If he managed to pull off a repeal of Obamacare, would you call him a success?
Boehner’s chronic case of Whiskey Dick would seem to rule out a sex scandal.
What sorts of deals with Satan are you contemplating?
Go wild, baby. It would be Irresponsible Not to Speculate. Hit me with your best shot!
And I was just saying that it wasn’t just the left side of the spectrum that thought Boehner sucked.
Actually, the flak he’s getting from the right side of things right now is pretty astounding. Especially given that he’s headed for the exit, you’d think more of them would at least be giving him a halfhearted “thanks for doing your best in a difficult situation” rather than doing the “ding, dong, the witch is dead” happy dance.
God, they disgust me. What sorry excuses for human beings.
A full election cycle is necessary which includes primaries. Nothing at the federal level says that the special elections have to coincide with other scheduled voting although there is the March 15th primary date already in the mix. Ohio election laws would be the primary driver. Conceivably the primary and general election could be completely separate from other election dates. It’s not a statewide election so the cost/hassle isn’t as big as say a Senator (in one of the states where the election laws don’t allow an appointment.)
I’d assume given the Ohio Governor and both Houses being Republican and it being a pretty safe seat that they’ll push to get a butt in the seat as soon as possible.
I think it would be way too late even if he resigned today. The November election is in just 40 days. I can already go on my board of elections website and view the ballot I’ll be voting on.
Ohio also requires a special primary, so you need time for candidates to file, then overseas voters need a certain minimum period of time in which to get their primary ballots and return them (45 days IIRC), then the primary votes have to be counted and certified, then another 45 day period for overseas voters, and then finally the special election.