# Since the Speaker of the House doesn't have to be a member of Congress **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 10, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781 "2026-11-10T18:14:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/1 "2026-11-10T18:14:32Z")
…who would you pick to take the job? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/2 "2026-11-10T18:23:59Z")
Barack Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/3 "2026-11-10T18:30:44Z")
Michelle Obama, because she was smart enough not to run for President. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/4 "2026-11-10T18:41:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Barack Obama. I thought this was the perfect answer. Then I saw this. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Michelle Obama ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/5 "2026-11-10T19:19:44Z")
Can former presidents hold office again? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/6 "2026-11-10T19:23:42Z")
There are debates about whether or not a person who has already served two terms can serve again as POTUS if they aren’t _elected_ to the position. That was one of the theories previously floated around about how Trump could be maneuvered into serving a third term. So, maybe. But I just think he’d do a great job leading the Democrats in the House, I wasn’t even considering this as a back-door way for him to become POTUS again. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/7 "2026-11-10T19:24:33Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Can former presidents hold office again? Sure. John Quincy Adams was in the House for a long time after leaving office. There’s no bar. Most don’t wish to, however. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/8 "2026-11-10T19:24:33Z")
Other offices other than POTUS? Sure. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/9 "2026-11-10T19:25:12Z")
Sure. John Quincy Adams was a US Rep after being president. And there’s no prohibition to those ineligible to be President to serving in a line of succession office. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/10 "2026-11-10T19:25:46Z")
I can’t see either of the Obamas having any desire to take on that position. I think Stacey Abrams would be an excellent pick. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/11 "2026-11-10T19:26:18Z")
Taft was Chief Justice after he was President. Obama can be Speaker. The Presidential Succession Act sets about a line of succession but it does state that the line only consists of people who would qualify for the office. So, at least under the terms of that Act, he couldn’t serve as President again. That’s a separate question from whether he’d want to or if the House would do that. It would be the first time a non-Rep was selected, which would be a hard sell to a lot of Dems as well. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/12 "2026-11-10T19:31:50Z")
The question isn’t “Who would take the job?” or “Who would have the best chance at taking the job?”. It is “Who would _you_ want to take the job?” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/13 "2026-11-10T19:32:32Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Barack Obama. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Michelle Obama Hillary Clinton, because I think she’d piss off Trump more than either Obama. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/14 "2026-11-10T19:33:56Z")
Michelle would be my first pick. Second pick might be Mayor Pete. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/15 "2026-11-10T19:37:37Z")
Well, in that case, probably a 20 years younger Nancy Pelosi. She’s not a perfect individual, but she probably is the best Speaker we’ve had over the last ~30 years and possibly longer. The position isn’t President. It’s not about somebody inspirational. That’s for the public. The actual job is Cat Herder in Chief. Putting together a legislative and investigative agenda and getting the caucus on board with all the different wings and interest groups to get both mundane and important bills through, especially in a polarized environment is a tough as hell job. And that’s not either of the Obamas or Pete Buttigieg. A Hillary Clinton might be able to do it but her best years are behind her as well. Basically, the knife fighter in the shadows, not the target standing in front But if we’re talking about somebody right now and not as they were decades ago, I don’t know if anybody is a great pick. Whoever the caucus selects is by default the best one for the job - getting them to agree on anything, even the selection of Speaker, is a major first step. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/16 "2026-11-10T19:41:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It is “Who would _you_ want to take the job?” Listening to Rachel Madow interviewed by Jon Stewart last night made me think she’d be a great Speaker. But, to be honest, I’d rather it remain a member of Congress. If we _had_ to pick someone from the outside, let’s go with Rachel Madow or Mayor Pete. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/17 "2026-11-10T19:42:26Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Well, in that case, probably a 20 years younger Nancy Pelosi. Not anybody in history, please. No time travel and (do I really have to say this?) no fictional characters. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/18 "2026-11-10T19:49:44Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Obama can be Speaker. The Presidential Succession Act sets about a line of succession but it does state that the line only consists of people who would qualify for the office. So, at least under the terms of that Act, he couldn’t serve as President again. That would, IMHO, be a major drawback. As it stands, Hakeem Jeffries will be 2nd in line to be POTUS, and the only Democrat on the list. Should Trump do something extremely reckless\*, to the point that even Republicans in the Senate would be on board with removing him, having Jeffries (or some other Democrat eligible to be POTUS) is important. \*. Something like, say, deciding to nuke Iran. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/19 "2026-11-10T19:49:57Z")
Hakeem Jeffries. You may not _have_ to be a house member, but I think it helps. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781/20 "2026-11-10T20:02:09Z")
It helps a lot. The job requires an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the challenges and difficulties facing each and every House member of your own party and an ability to inspire compromise among them. Sometimes very painful and difficult compromise. Keeping such a disparate group all swimming in the same direction is a skill hard won with time and experience. That’s what Pelosi had. Jeffries is her chosen successor. she spent a lot of time teaching him how it’s done. Jeffries is my choice for this reason. And it’s why I believe he will be the next Speaker – wishes expressed in this thread notwithstanding. If it must be someone not currently in the House, then I guess flip a coin. Maybe my former House representative, Peter DeFazio. He may be old, but he knows his onions. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-speaker-of-the-house-doesnt-have-to-be-a-member-of-congress/1034781.md?page=2)