# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/41 "2023-10-02T00:20:17Z")
It’s his ~~density~~ destiny. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/42 "2023-10-02T00:34:10Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > He was naturally born with the perfect face for the Hollywood role of “guilty scumbag denying heinous crimes at press conference”. I was thinking “guy who plans to tear down the community center and build luxury condos”. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/43 "2023-10-02T00:45:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > the Trump faction will have a majority of support. I am thinking (hoping) that balance is not tipped to the hard core Trumpists as many think. In an election with a D an R and a T candidate, I think most of the voters who always vote R will continue to do so. Leaving a rump of looney T’s in Congress with no power. A couple of cycles in, nobody will even run for the T party anymore because they will be powerless and ignored. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/44 "2023-10-02T00:52:09Z")
Predictions? _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/44))_ If I did this right this should show who voted what. I’m not sure what I think. McCarthy only needs a few Ds to play ball so I am guessing they help him stave off with first test of his word being bringing Ukraine funding to a vote right off. Dems would need to call for a challenge as soon as he breaks any promises made. That said I don’t see a consensus candidate other than McCarthy as impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/45 "2023-10-02T00:59:56Z")
There’s enough insanity in the Republican party that it’s very difficult to make predictions. Few people on Saturday morning thought the debt crisis would play out the way it did. That said, I always vote my hopes, and in this case, I’m hoping that there’s a consensus candidate. McCarthy isn’t batshit, but he’s forever willing to sacrifice principle on the altar of personal power. I suspect that there are a few Republicans heartily sick of his weaselly self but also not batshit. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/46 "2023-10-02T01:09:39Z")
The articles I see say that one reason Matt Gaetz is upset is that McCarthy worked with the Democrats in the House to pass the spending bill. I thought that working together to achieve common goals was the whole idea. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/47 "2023-10-02T01:11:52Z")
While I’d love to see weasely, weak, wishy-washy Kevin deprived of his precious, I’d even more dearly love to see the Putin Posse put in their place and told to be quiet while the grown-ups are busy doing important things. Even better if both sides know that they can only succeed with the help of the Democratic Caucus. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/48 "2023-10-02T01:12:05Z")
An interesting question is what happens in the short term if McCarthy is defenestrated. Back in January, the House literally could not conduct any business before a Speaker was elected – bills couldn’t be filed, committees couldn’t be appointed, the Members couldn’t even be sworn in. However, now that the session is well underway, an acting Speaker would step in to take the gavel. House rules require the Speaker to provide the clerk of the House a confidential list of members who are designated to act as speaker in the case of a vacancy. So McCarthy himself will (in fact probably already has) designate his immediate successor. The rules require this acting Speaker to organize the election of a new Speaker. But they also state the acting Speaker may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be “necessary and appropriate” until the election of a new Speaker. What qualifies as “necessary and appropriate” has never been tested. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/49 "2023-10-02T01:14:42Z")
To clarify the poll options – there are no “rounds” on the motion to vacate. It’s yes-or-no, is Kevin McCarthy removed as Speaker. IF the answer is yes, then there would be a new Speaker election. If not, he remains. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/50 "2023-10-02T01:14:47Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > So McCarthy himself will (in fact probably already has) designate his immediate successor. The rules require this acting Speaker to organize the election of a new Speaker. But they also state the acting Speaker may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be “necessary and appropriate” until the election of a new Speaker. Fantasy land, i grant you, but let me dream… What if McCarthy let’s it be known his chosen Acting Speaker is Jeffries. Talk about a poison pill! > To clarify the poll options – there are no “rounds” on the motion to vacate. It’s yes-or-no, is Kevin McCarthy removed as Speaker. IF the answer is yes, then there would be a new Speaker election. If not, he remains. Like Gaetz would take “no” as an answer. I can see them lining up and putting forward a motion to vacate every morning just because they can and they thrive on chaos. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/51 "2023-10-02T01:16:33Z")
I have no idea. I voted Other on the grounds that one of the choices should be that McCarthy wins with only GOP votes, as in his winning 15th ballot in January. Now, (had to Google to remind myself) in January, Gaetz voted present. But McCarthy had one vote to spare. So theoretically, if McCarthy loses no one else, he could win as last time. Maybe there is a vacant seat, but that’s the general idea. However, I don’t really predict this, as Politico implies McCarthy has lost some GOP support. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/52 "2023-10-02T01:17:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I thought that working together to achieve common goals was the whole idea. Yes, so did I. One theory is that most of the guys are lawyers, who want to win, not compromise. Another is that women legislators are better at reaching agreements than men. I don’t believe that the founders of the Constitution conceived of legislators being this acrimonious. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/53 "2023-10-02T01:25:24Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > However, I don’t really predict this, as Politico implies McCarthy has lost some GOP support. I think 90 Republicans voted against this measure, and plenty of them are salty about it. I’d be pretty surprised if he wins with only GOP votes–at least, not on the next ballot. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/54 "2023-10-02T01:27:54Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Like Gaetz would take “no” as an answer. I can see them lining up and putting forward a motion to vacate every morning just because they can and they thrive on chaos. Oh, 100%. It’s just that the poll talks in terms of selecting a candidate and I wanted to clarify this is a two-step process — successful motion to vacate, then speakers race. Hell, McCarthy could conceivably be removed and elected in the subsequent Speaker election. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/55 "2023-10-02T01:29:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I thought that working together to achieve common goals was the whole idea. That was in the Before Times. No more. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/56 "2023-10-02T01:41:58Z")
Yes. “Rounds” implies motion to vacate passes and it’s a new set of Speaker election rounds. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/57 "2023-10-02T01:47:31Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > one of the choices should be that McCarthy wins with only GOP votes D’oh. Of course you are right. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/58 "2023-10-02T02:05:21Z")
McCarthy is not stupid. He very obviously knew full well that this was a non-trivial possibility. He had to do what he did or he wouldn’t have been Speaker in the first place. Then he just had to see what he could do with it and hope for the best. One thing for sure, if the Dems need to help him, it can’t be for some vague future accommodation unless they want a back stabbing. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/59 "2023-10-02T02:13:45Z")
I voted for option 1 over option 2 because – as ridiculous as this situation has become – the House voting to eject McCarthy from the Speaker’s chair then subsequently reelecting him to the Speaker’s chair must violate some metaphysical upper boundary on human ridiculousness. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-attempt-to-oust-speaker-mccarthy-10-1-2023-patrick-mchenry-is-now-speaker-pro-tempore-2023-10-03/990958/60 "2023-10-02T02:18:59Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > the House voting to eject McCarthy from the Speaker’s chair then subsequently reelecting him to the Speaker’s chair must violate some metaphysical upper boundary on human ridiculousness. You’d think so but the republican party is so crazy I think they now just want to get more weird and do crazy, stupid shit just to outdo the previous crazy. Republican “hold my beer” kinda thing. [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=2) [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=4)