Two separate things - you can hold your head the right way and kind of see that it would have been a good idea for a couple of Dems to vote to save Kevin and prevent the current mess. Note that I currently disagree (but if the QOP doesn’t fix this by the time the government shuts down, I may have to change my mind).
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that the Democrats should support any QOPer for Speaker.
I blame McCarthy for being so cravenly thirsty for the chair that he let the freaks impose their will. Not on January: all the way back to when the Party Conference dumped Liz Cheney.
The Economist believes that all this is a good thing, as McHenry may be able to push through a bipartisan deal on Ukraine, the middle east and avoiding the government shutdown, in a way that a “real” republican speaker could not.
It would a good idea for a couple of Republicans to vote for Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker. It would be the exact same good idea, in fact, but I never hear anyone in authority blame them for not doing it.
We’ve come to a point where everyone just takes for granted that Republicans will fuck things up, and Democrats will fix things. When things get fucked up and stay that way, it almost looks like the Democrats’ fault. That’s how screwed up American politics are.
@Folacin, I know you said you disagree that Dems should have voted for McCarthy, but I wanted to post the obvious counter-argument for anyone else reading the thread.
But why would he? I’m a little puzzled by the sudden enthusiasm for empowering McHenry. He’s not a bomb thrower like Jordan, but he’s a solidly conservative Republican. Why is he more likely to push through bipartisan deals knowing that it will make him a target of MAGA hatred? All for a position that he apparently genuinely does not want.
That’s probably his most important qualification, really. McCarthy really wanted the job, and gave away the store to get it. How did that work out? Now, Gym Jordan really wants the job, and is apparently willing to let the entire government flounder in a time of multiple overlapping crises rather than admit he doesn’t have the support he needs to win.
The fundamental problem is, the GOP are still in the Fuck Around stage of the process, and it will take an absolutely massive bed-shitting in order to them, and their voters, to actually get to the Find Out stage. And the bed-shitting will harm a whole lot more people than just the people responsible for this mess.
But I fear we’re all going to have to sleep in a shitty bed before the GOP finally lets us wash the sheets.
The next speaker will be a Republican, and i truly don’t think there are any “soft” Republicans left in the wild. The only mitigating factor to be hoped for is that said Republican not be a dyed in the wool MAGA head. McHenry fits that bill.
I think a large number of House Republicans are willing to work to compromises with the Democrats and with the Senate. Many are in districts that approve of helping Ukraine.
The problem for most who would be Speaker is the need to have the support of nearly every GOP representative.
That’s why I asked and was answered on why McHenry’s position would differ.
He doesn’t need to be elected in. It is more acceptable for him with limited powers to stay in the ongoing temporary limited power position with bipartisan permission.
MAGA wrath can’t harm him too much.
In situations like this, people are always looking for the Cincinnatus who will reluctantly take on the burden of leadership and bring people together to save the Republic then quietly retire to his farm. That ain’t Patrick McHenry. He’s a died-in-the-wool conservative who believes in slashing spending and taxes, securing the border, restricting abortion, etc. How is he more likely to be able to shepherd legislation on the budget, Ukraine, Israel, etc., through the House? Why is likely to be more inclined or more able to build a bipartisan coalition than McCarthy, Scalise, etc.? He apparently also prizes his position as Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, which he would have to give up. And alienating a sizable chunk of the Republican caucus makes it unlikely he’d ever get it back.
The problem isn’t identifying the right candidate for Speaker. It’s finding a governing coalition that can let any Speaker pass legislation.
I think their argument is that it may well be positions that he does want.
Most of the things they list actually have bipartisan support. But “real” republican speakers are hamstrung in the level of support on (only) the republican side to bring bills for debate in the first place. And of course there’s the bullying of the FC threatening to depose speakers they don’t like.
So it’s not that McHenry would be better than McCarthy, just that unlike McCarthy he doesn’t need to kowtow to the worst elements of his own party.
I have a theory on why Jordan is just doing one vote per day, rather than the McCarthy method of multiple votes on a day.
McCarthy was using the old traditional method of arm-twisting in the cloakroom, making deals on the spot with individual members - asking them what carrots it would take to change their vote. This can be done personally and relatively quickly, and the results seen right away during the next vote.
Jordan on the other hand, is relying primarily on the stick approach. This takes more time to threaten members, threaten their families through 3rd parties, organize “rallys” (aka torch and pitchfork crowds) at their offices, etc. You need a little time for the intimidation and threats to sink in. Thus the delay to only one vote per day.
If he wants to have any future in that party, he does. I don’t think it’s impossible that we end up with an “empowered” McHenry, but I think Republicans are going to have to hit more of a rock bottom before it’s a realistic possibility.
The question is how long the Republican Conference will go along with it. They’re apparently meeting right now in advance of the House gaveling in at noon.
Well, Washinton Post reporting Jordan won’t pursue a third vote and House Republicans will pursue a resolution to empower McHenry.
Shows what I know!
The McHenry empowerment seems to be the way forward. There are issues that 90% of Republicans and Democrats can agree on- funding Ukraine and Israel and keeping the government open. Let them use this workaround for the remainder of this Congress, pending an acual Speaker is not elected.
CNN reporting the same.
This is probably the best realistic option. McHenry doesn’t have to follow any of the rules that the FC forced on McCarthy and can’t be threatened with getting vacated.
just announced on cnn. no speaker vote today.
I wouldn’t be surprised if during future Speaker votes, in addition to “a one-person threshold to bring a motion to vacate”, the FC-ers or similar groups demand that their names be put on the secret backup Speaker list in exchange for their vote for Speaker. That way whenever the current Speaker isn’t to their liking, they can vote to remove them and put one of their own in that spot.
Apparently Jordan is not withdrawing from the race (and remains the House Republican Conference nominee for Speaker), but simply declining to force a third vote at this time. That gives him the opportunity to press for additional votes should the attempt to empower McHenry not succeed.
AKA send the mobs to the homes and offices of the holdout Representatives…
That’s just a technicality, as I am sure you are aware.
The best thing I can say about McHenry is that he isn’t an election denier and voted to certify the results from AZ and GA.
The Dems just need to be on board. I’m certain that they have already gamed this out and have their demands ready