Meet your new Speaker of the House candidates

[Wrestleknownothing]

The lucky nine are:

• Tom Emmer
• Mike Johnson
• Byron Donalds
• Kevin Hern
• Jack Bergman
• Austin Scott
• Pete Sessions
• Gary Palmer
• Dan Meuser

Seven of the nine candidates refused to certify that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Only Emmer and Scott voted to certify. 

[WrestlingRasta]

So basically it's down to Emmer and Scott.

[Wrestleknownothing]

13 minutes ago, WrestlingRasta said:

So basically it's down to Emmer and Scott.

Fingers crossed. 

[Ohio Elite]

Never heard of any of those guys except Byron

[Wrestleknownothing]

7 minutes ago, Ohio Elite said:

Never heard of any of those guys except Byron

Really? Emmer has been talked about a lot this past week as a Jordan alternative and even garnered a few votes on the floor. And Scott was the first to say he is running weeks ago.

[Ohio Elite]

1 minute ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

Really? Emmer has been talked about a lot this past week as a Jordan alternative and even garnered a few votes on the floor. And Scott was the first to say he is running weeks ago.

Who do you think has the best chance to get the job?

[Offthemat]

Hern or Johnson at first glance look okay. 
Emmer is a no-go. (McCarthy’s fellow never-Trumper)
Scott challenged Jordan and lost, already. 

Edited October 23, 2023 by Offthemat

[Plasmodium]

9 minutes ago, Offthemat said:

Hern or Johnson at first glance look okay. 
Emmer is a no-go. (McCarthy’s fellow never-Trumper)
Scott challenged Jordan and lost, already. 

Can you clarify-McCarthy is a never-Trumper?

Emmer got votes from Ken Buck during the Jordan nomination because "I don't like him".  I suspect that was tongue in cheek.

[Wrestleknownothing]

20 minutes ago, Ohio Elite said:

Who do you think has the best chance to get the job?

I honestly have no idea how to handicap this. Given the difference between the public vote and the private vote within the Republican caucus, there were clearly some big issues with Jordan. But I do not know if that means they will pick the opposite of Jordan (Scott when it comes to denying the deniers) or if they will settle on Jordan-lite. At this point it is either reading tea leaves or wishful thinking if someone claims they know which way this will go.

[WrestlingRasta]

48 minutes ago, Ohio Elite said:

Never heard of any of those guys except Byron

The last guy on that list I’d want to see get it. 

[Paul158]

15 minutes ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

I honestly have no idea how to handicap this. Given the difference between the public vote and the private vote within the Republican caucus, there were clearly some big issues with Jordan. But I do not know if that means they will pick the opposite of Jordan (Scott when it comes to denying the deniers) or if they will settle on Jordan-lite. At this point it is either reading tea leaves or wishful thinking if someone claims they know which way this will go.

Does it really matter who they pick? The only have a very slim majority in one of the 3 branches of our government. It seems like that really limits their ability in accomplishing anything. 

[Wrestleknownothing]

1 minute ago, Paul158 said:

Does it really matter who they pick? The only have a very slim majority in one of the 3 branches of our government. It seems like that really limits their ability in accomplishing anything. 

I think it matters for a few reasons.

The obvious one is that without a Speaker nothing can happen in the House which means no legislation can happen, appropriations bills are not voted upon, etc. In short, the thing they were elected to do, and that we need them to do, is not happening.

The second reason is an offshoot of the first. Without a functioning House, all legislation/bills are going to be crafted by the Senate. That means Democrats get to go first with all legislative business. They get to set the anchor for any negotiations on a bill. And anchoring in negotiations is very important.

The third reason, is that if the Republicans want to maintain control over the House, never mind regain control of the Senate and/or the White House, it would be helpful to not be perceived by voters as a bunch of bungling amateurs who cannot even elect a leader among their ranks, or keep the one they elected, never mind actually run the country. I think one big thing that the Freedom Caucus misses is that in pursuing their goals with scorched earth tactics, they make it almost impossible to achieve their goals. As a younger man I found it tempting to do stuff like that, too. But now I call it 30 seconds of satisfaction for a lifetime of regret.

I am sure others can think of a few more reasons to add.

[Plasmodium]

This is crazy town.  Is there another legislative body in the entire world that willfully votes themselves into non-functioning?  I can't think of any, we are laughing stock.   Is it even possible elsewhere?

[WrestlingRasta]

17 minutes ago, Paul158 said:

Does it really matter who they pick? The only have a very slim majority in one of the 3 branches of our government. It seems like that really limits their ability in accomplishing anything. 

With a slim majority, a viable, productive speaker is more important, it matters even more.  In current state of affairs, it's going to take someone that realizes there are going to be concessions from both sides that are going to need to be made in order to get some of the things they want, and get some necessary things done.   We are seeing that this strategy of it's either going to go my way or we just won't operate doesn't work out very well.

[Offthemat]

53 minutes ago, Plasmodium said:

Can you clarify-McCarthy is a never-Trumper?

Emmer got votes from Ken Buck during the Jordan nomination because "I don't like him".  I suspect that was tongue in cheek.

Hint:  Pay no attention to what he says, watch what he does.  He is largely responsible for Jordan not being elected, while he positions himself as the savior, the only one who can lead the House.  

[BobDole]

I would put more odds on McCarthy getting his old job back than the other list of candidates. 

[Wrestleknownothing]

14 minutes ago, Plasmodium said:

This is crazy town.  Is there another legislative body in the entire world that willfully votes themselves into non-functioning?  I can't think of any, we are laughing stock.   Is it even possible elsewhere?

It happens from time to time in democratic countries that do not have a two party system. In order to have a majority they form alliances among multiple parties. Sometimes those alliances break apart and they need to "form a new government". In Israel, for example, the current coalition consists of seven parties. The UK has had coalition governments as recently as 2015.

First with the Tea Party, and now with the Freedom Caucus, that is sort of what is happening here.

 

[Ban Basketball]

First you had Gymmy J. as a candidate,  who only considered conspired to overthrow an ejection,  and now Donalds, who recently submitted falsified documents to the committee looking into Hunter Biden. 

Then we have Inmate #PO1135809, running the entire show.  I'd feel so morally bankrupt right now if I was a Republican. 

[Ohio Elite]

46 minutes ago, Plasmodium said:

This is crazy town.  we are laughing stock.   

This has already been happening. Ever heard Biden talk?

[Paul158]

15 minutes ago, Ohio Elite said:

This has already been happening. Ever heard Biden talk?

Maybe they  call this trickle down incompetence. But with Biden most us (Democrat or Republican) knew this wasn't going to go well.

[Offthemat]

42 minutes ago, Ban Basketball said:

First you had Gymmy J. as a candidate,  who only considered conspired to overthrow an ejection,  and now Donalds, who recently submitted falsified documents to the committee looking into Hunter Biden. 

Then we have Inmate #PO1135809, running the entire show.  I'd feel so morally bankrupt right now if I was a Republican. 

What is your inmate locked up for?

[Paul158]

1 minute ago, Offthemat said:

What is your inmate locked up for?

Yes.  Wouldn't You have to be in jail to be an inmate? More or less.

[ionel]

1 hour ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

scorched earth tactics, they make it almost impossible to achieve their goals. As a younger man I found it tempting to do stuff like that, too. But now I call it 30 seconds of satisfaction for a lifetime of regret.

Tell us more about the young Wkn's scorched earth adventures.  This thread needs a good side track while we go thru the next 50+ votes.  

[Paul158]

51 minutes ago, BobDole said:

I would put more odds on McCarthy getting his old job back than the other list of candidates. 

What did Gaetz accomplish by burning down the entire building? What was the end game.

[BobDole]

1 minute ago, Paul158 said:

What did Gaetz accomplish by burning down the entire building? What was the end game.

To show off his "power" and bring attention to himself. The Freedom Caucus is all about being loud and being in front of the camera. They really don't do much other than want attention on them.