# The Impending Attempt to Oust Speaker McCarthy {10/1/2023}; Patrick McHenry is now Speaker Pro Tempore {2023-10-03} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 1, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958 "2023-10-01T15:58:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**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:** [October 6, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/481 "2023-10-06T18:46:31Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Hakeem Jeffries writes an Op-Ed in the Washington Post urging a bipartisan path forward for the House: Man, that guy is so divisive! /s You know that’s how they’re going to react. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/482 "2023-10-06T19:05:32Z")
That’s what I’ve been saying. That and he is, and will remain, completely ignorant of even the broad rules of the House, let alone any of the minutia of procedure. The Dems could sit back and wait for him to make the wrong motion and the wrong time or bang his little gavel when he’s not supposed to … and bingo, bango, bongo … gun control, socialized medicine and abortion on demand! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/483 "2023-10-06T20:09:33Z")
answered in the other thread. Menken was weird but not a fascist. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/484 "2023-10-06T20:27:18Z")
And now reports are that McCarthy isn’t even going to complete his term as Representative. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/485 "2023-10-06T20:32:31Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > And now reports Like this one: > **[McCarthy denies reports he’s leaving Congress | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/06/politics/kevin-mccarthy-congress-term/index.html)** > > Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is denying reports that he is expected to step down from Congress before the end of his term – telling reporters on Friday that he still has “work to do,” after sending signals in private conversations that he... Is this taking your ball and going home because no one wants you to pitch any more? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/486 "2023-10-06T20:38:23Z")
This is normal when a Speaker is replaced – Pelosi is an unusual exception. Boehner and Cantor both left shortly after resigning as Speaker. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/487 "2023-10-06T20:40:35Z")
I guess the difference is being dismissed in ignominy by a rabble instead of serving out and retiring into elder statespersonship. I forgot that in sane times, surrendering the gavel is part of an honorable departure from the House. It may be unfortunate that the way it’s playing out, it looks more like pouting and flouncing rather than being set back in the ranks, rather than adherence to tradition. Certainly, nothing else in this ridiculous situation is following tradition. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/488 "2023-10-06T20:44:18Z")
Was Cantor the Speaker? Anyway, sounds like a Republican thing the way you framed it! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/489 "2023-10-06T20:47:01Z")
Confused Cantor with Ryan, I think. All three of the young guns kicked out by their own party for not being pure and mean enough. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/490 "2023-10-06T20:48:41Z")
Another Republican. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/491 "2023-10-06T20:55:59Z")
Yep, Ryan, not Cantor. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/492 "2023-10-06T21:47:34Z")
Vice President McCarthy? ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/493 "2023-10-06T22:01:16Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Is this taking your ball and going home because no one wants you to pitch any more? All Kevin ever and only wanted was to get his name in the history books. He was willing to lie, cheat, grovel and be humiliated to do so. He’s Kevin McCarthy, 55th Speaker of the House. That’s the only thing that matters to him. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/494 "2023-10-06T22:16:09Z")
This book did NOT age well. > **[Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders - Kindle edition by Cantor,...](https://www.amazon.com/Young-Guns-Generation-Conservative-Leaders-ebook/dp/B003WEA9PW)** > > Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders - Kindle edition by Cantor, Eric, Ryan, Paul, McCarthy, Kevin. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting... ---
**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:** [October 6, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/495 "2023-10-06T22:26:10Z")
McCarthy _did_ go down in a blaze of inglory. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/496 "2023-10-06T22:59:52Z")
In the history books as the first Speaker to be ousted. Not my idea of how I’d want to become famous, but whatever makes one happy, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/497 "2023-10-07T01:01:30Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I mean, maybe. The Republican party leadership is made up of cultists and cowards. Sausage-making Republicans have been selected out by the primary process. Most GOP House members fear the primary more than the general election. I don’t especially blame Republican politicians who are doing their newly defined job (messaging). I blame the GOP primary voting base a little more, and corporate CEOs a lot more who don’t grasp that functioning democracy is ultimately great for capitalism. But mostly I blame the primary system combined with plurality voting - it’s a recipe for bad choices, handing the reins to extremists. The other bad player is Fox News. At least I have an idea of how to fix the first one. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/498 "2023-10-07T08:44:27Z")
On trump wanting to be speaker, I feel the elephant in the room is that it’s to avoid all the litigation on him. We know he wants to postpone (indefinitely) all the cases against him. While “I’m campaigning for president” has failed as an excuse, “I’m speaker of the house” is a much better argument, at least for the state cases. I’ve seen the prospect of trump as speaker mentioned on several news shows now, but none that I saw included this in their analyses. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/499 "2023-10-07T12:42:04Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > All Kevin ever and only wanted was to get his name in the history books. He was willing to lie, cheat, grovel and be humiliated to do so. He’s Kevin McCarthy, 55th Speaker of the House. That’s the only thing that matters to him. True as far as it goes. At the same time, he also wanted to be a _successful_ Speaker. One who lasted a good long time in the job, and his wiki article would talk about all the good (by his lights) things he accomplished as Speaker. He had the misfortune to come into the favorable position in his career to jockey for the Speakership at just the time the wackos made that a pretty thoroughly poisoned chalice. He chose to drink anyhow, hoping for the best. I have no doubt that in his heart of hearts he’s mightily disappointed in how his Speakership went from start to finish and how short it was, and how far short of his ideal his wiki article will always be. Nevertheless, you’re certainly right that he’s happier with himself and his legacy for having been Speaker than had he never been. IMO he’s a ghastly human being and I care not a whit for his feelings. But that doesn’t mean I can’t analyze them dispassionately even as I wish he’d had a heart attack and died 20 years ago or had gone into used car sales rather than politics. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/500 "2023-10-07T13:17:23Z")
I can see trump sitting in that chair struggling to read and understand some parliamentary procedure. Totally chewing on, and mispronouncing all the big words, the ones they didn’t teach him at Wharton. He would immediately assign somebody nonthreatening, like bowtie beta guy, to do the hard work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958.md?page=26)