Who Will Replace Kevin McCarthy, And Will It Matter?

[Angel Eyes]

So McCarthy is out as House Speaker.  Any bets on who the next Speaker will be?

I'm guessing Gaetz.

Omar seems to like him:  https://twitter.com/scrowder/status/1709297353897722082

[Ben]

Wow. That was unexpected (by me).

Also interesting: I didn't pay a lot of attention to the CR, but it sounded like McCarthy made some deal with dems to get it done vs a shutdown. Yet it appears every single dem present for the vote voted to oust McCarthy.

[MechAg94]

McCarthy Rejects Power Share With Democrats To Keep Speakership: ‘We’re In The Majority; No Surrender’
https://www.dailywire.com/news/mccarthy-rejects-power-share-with-democrats-to-keep-speakership-were-in-the-majority-no-surrender

McCarthy added that he was not willing to make a power-sharing agreement with Democrats in order to preserve his speakership.

“That doesn’t work,” McCarthy said. “Look, I’m a conservative, I’m a Republican. I’m a conservative that wants to get things done … we’re in the majority. You don’t surrender.”

I saw this headline earlier.  I can at least appreciate that he didn't sell out his party to maintain power. 

[Angel Eyes]

[dogmush]

Not sure what he expected.  The Freedom Caucus flat said they'd remove him if he passed a CR instead of single subject spending bills.

Out of curiosity,  does the house now need to select a speaker before they can get back to budget and impeachment stuff?  They only bought 45 days this weekend.

[Angel Eyes]

https://twitter.com/RepTroyNehls/status/1709342759172059159

Congressman Troy E. Nehls
@RepTroyNehls
Kevin McCarthy will NOT be running again as Speaker.

I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House.
5:00 PM · Oct 3, 2023

[JTHunter]

Not sure what he expected.  The Freedom Caucus flat said they'd remove him if he passed a CR instead of single subject spending bills.

Out of curiosity,  does the house now need to select a speaker before they can get back to budget and impeachment stuff?  They only bought 45 days this weekend.

Yes.
Assorted news reports today have repeatedly pointed out that, until a new speaker is installed, no other business can be debated.

I don't think Gaetz will make it as he is too much of a "glory hound" (too narcissistic).

ETA: several of the people talking about this have pointed out that this is as much a "personal" fight between Gaetz and McCarthy as it is about McCarthy's poor leadership.

[HankB]

Not sure what he expected.  The Freedom Caucus flat said they'd remove him if he passed a CR instead of single subject spending bills. . . .

It's not clear to me why, every single time (AFAIK, I may be wrong) we've had a "shutdown" the legislature has flatly refused to consider a single subject spending bill. For example - defense spending. Pass that, and our soldiers will still get paid. Park service - Yellowstone and the Smithsonian will remain open. Etc.

Maybe it's because there are a LOT of unpopular things money is being spent wasted on that wouldn't come up for a vote at all, and which wouldn't be funded unless they're packaged with something that's actually important.

[Ben]

My position on this continues to evolve. I always complain about the establishment Ds and Rs going in the back room after they fight in public and having a good laugh.

I can't find confirmation, but apparently Gaetz went and talked to the squad as he was pushing this ouster. So maybe it's not just the establishment members, but the left and right fringe members that are all having a good backroom laugh at the voter rubes.

[WLJ]

Panicked McCarthy Looks For Fire Alarm
https://babylonbee.com/news/panicked-mccarthy-looks-for-a-fire-alarm

[MechAg94]

It's not clear to me why, every single time (AFAIK, I may be wrong) we've had a "shutdown" the legislature has flatly refused to consider a single subject spending bill. For example - defense spending. Pass that, and our soldiers will still get paid. Park service - Yellowstone and the Smithsonian will remain open. Etc.

Maybe it's because there are a LOT of unpopular things money is being spent wasted on that wouldn't come up for a vote at all, and which wouldn't be funded unless they're packaged with something that's actually important.

It always seemed to me that such times would be ideal for making deals to add in amendments and such in order to sign off on the spending others want.  However, Republicans never seem to do any of that.  I figure they aren't bad negotiators, they just don't want anyone to know what they are negotiating for.

[WLJ]

Sad: McCarthy's 'Speaker Of The House' Nameplate Finally Arrives From Engraver
https://babylonbee.com/news/sad-mccarthys-speaker-of-the-house-nameplate-finally-arrives-from-engraver

[JTHunter]

Somebody in another forum made a point that hadn't occurred to me.  They said (IIRC) that the problem is the "individuality" of republicans that makes for "infighting".  The dems/libs work in "lock-step" as they have a "hive mind" and aren't really "individuals?.

[grampster]

^^^^^I'd tend to agree with that.  The Democrat Party has always leaned a bit left...but now is full bore Socialist/Leftist, which means they are collectivists.  Republicans do tend to be more individually inclined ie: Capitalistic, historically low tax, less goobermint to a degree.  They tend to be more in the line with the handle given them lately:  Stupid Party.

[Ben]

Apparently McCarthy thought he had a deal with the dems, and that Pelosi promised him dem votes. If true, he should have known better than to trust her.

"Kevin McCarthy says that you essentially broke a promise to him to keep Democrats with him if there was a vote against him. Is that not true?" FOX 11 Los Angeles anchor Elex Michaelson asked Pelosi in a recent interview.

Shaking her head, Pelosi said she had never promised to help McCarthy, R-Calif., remain as speaker.

"Not really. I had no promise to him," Pelosi told FOX 11. "Our Democratic members made that decision."

"Not really" kinda sounds like, "Sure, you dumb sucker, count on me. HAHAHAHA".

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-denies-breaking-promise-back-mccarthy-speakership-vote

[French G.]

Apparently McCarthy thought he had a deal with the dems, and that Pelosi promised him dem votes. If true, he should have known better than to trust her.

"Not really" kinda sounds like, "Sure, you dumb sucker, count on me. HAHAHAHA".

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-denies-breaking-promise-back-mccarthy-speakership-vote

The ol Charlie Brown football. I think McCarthy did okay, nobody going to do much better with the majority. But the entire conservative media is after the wrong people. Don't blame slimy Gaetz or McCarthy, lets ask Mithc McConnell and Ronna McDaniel why there is a blue   senate and a slim red house. They had a golden opportunity last election and totally intentionally torpedoed it.

[WLJ]

Mike Johnson

House elects Johnson as speaker as Republicans rally
https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/speaker-of-the-house-race-october-25

And some dems are having the predicted hissy fit

    You might be Googling who Mike Johnson is this morning.

    Let me make it simple:

    Johnson is a hard-right, pro-Trump, leading election denier in the House.

    Sadly, this is what passes for Speaker material in the Republican conference.
    — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) October 25, 2023

Adam Schiff Stomps on a Self-Awareness Rake While Rolling Out an Accusation About the New Speaker
https://twitchy.com/dougp/2023/10/25/adam-schiff-stomps-on-a-self-awareness-rake-while-claiming-an-election-denier-is-the-new-speaker-n2388981

[dogmush]

who da faq is Mike Johnson?

[Ben]

who da faq is Mike Johnson?

That's what I was wondering. Dude about pulled an Obama.

The Rs have embarrassed themselves again with this whole voting shitshow, but if AOC and Schiff both hate him, he can't be all bad.

[WLJ]

Biden says he isn't worried new Speaker Johnson would try to overturn 2024 election

https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/speaker-of-the-house-race-october-25

Well that's a relief   

[WLJ]

The Babylon Bee no doubt had this waiting

Smoke Rises Over Capitol Indicating Congress Has Resumed Setting Taxpayers' Money On Fire
https://babylonbee.com/news/smoke-rises-over-capitol-indicating-congress-has-resumed-setting-taxpayers-money-on-fire

[Hawkmoon]

The Rs have embarrassed themselves again with this whole voting shitshow, but if AOC and Schiff both hate him, he can't be all bad.

        

[Ron]

The Rs have embarrassed themselves again with this whole voting shitshow, but if AOC and Schiff both hate him, he can't be all bad.

Here hold my beer and watch this - Mike Johnston

[WLJ]

Mike Johnson’s Family And Friends Stunned To Learn He’s A Congressman
https://babylonbee.com/news/mike-johnsons-family-and-friends-stunned-to-learn-hes-a-congressman

[Angel Eyes]

Johnson might be all right:

https://twitter.com/RepMikeJohnson/status/1461532285690421248