Chairman Paul Ryan Elected Speaker

[joan1984]

Kevin McCarthy has announced he has dropped out of the race for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. No reason was given with the announcement, but it was clear he would not receive enough Republican votes to win the Speaker position, in the open floor vote, scheduled for 10/29/2015.

Will be interesting to see how the Party Hacks figure out who might be acceptable to the overwhelming number of Republican Party Reps, so as to not require Democrat votes to gain the 218 number necessary for a clear win.

Could it be that a "conservative" in more than name only may be the winner?

We can only hope.

[Katiebee]

But in my view, most of those "conservatives" you are alluding to have more in common with authoritarians and fascists than the Conservative wing of the Republican party.

They are not interested in governing and political compromise to govern. They want to dictate. That is completely opposite to how this nation's political governance was designed.

[Piper-Dreams]

This is hilarious. Even something as simple as the election for the Speakership the Republicans bumble  . Can't wait to see what the election ends up being like now.

[watcher1]

I can see the back room deals going on right now.  McCarthy was publicized as a person who was very sociable and well liked by many.  Maybe the GOP is waking up to the fact that the majority of people who vote Republican do not want anything to do with Tea Party candidates or obstructionists.

[Piper-Dreams]

I can see the back room deals going on right now.  McCarthy was publicized as a person who was very sociable and well liked by many.  Maybe the GOP is waking up to the fact that the majority of people who vote Republican do not want anything to do with Tea Party candidates or obstructionists.

I read just the opposite. That he was not really disliked by anyone, but no one really liked him either.

[joan1984]

  Kevin McCarthy is not a 'conservative'... might be conservative for California, but is a affable liberal republican, except during election campaigns, where he promises it all, then spends the next two years telling the media why he cannot deliver what he promised, if that.

  Had a Conservative not run and BEAT Eric Cantor, to oust him from the House, he would have been the Speaker 'elect' choice of the current Speaker.
Another politician reading from the same script as current leadership.

  No doubt a good person, affable, but McCarthy proved his speaking ability is about the same as W, in the pretending to be a true believer interview with Sean Hannity that got him into so much trouble, and gave Hillary some fresh meat to bitch about, while causing the Standing Committee to be called partisan.

  He has nothing, NOTHING to do with the Tea Party Caucus, is not an economic or social Conservative, and has a F as a rating by Conservative organizations. Not what Republicans needed.

  The question will be, who is? Who can draw 247 votes, minimum, in the open Floor vote for Speaker? To be determined. McCarthy was wise to withdraw, and maybe will retain some position better aligned with his ability.

Note: The Speaker Of The House need not be a current Member, or even a past House Member, need only to command the vast majority of Republican Members, and hopefully a number of Democrat Members when they all vote.

Ms. Barbara could be the next Speaker, for instance, is she were to persuade the Members of her leadership capability and commitment. Quality is the key.

[Athos_131]

[Piper-Dreams]

  Kevin McCarthy is not a 'conservative'... might be conservative for California, but is a affable liberal republican, except during election campaigns, where he promises it all, then spends the next two years telling the media why he cannot deliver what he promised, if that.

  Had a Conservative not run and BEAT Eric Cantor, to oust him from the House, he would have been the Speaker 'elect' choice of the current Speaker.
Another politician reading from the same script as current leadership.

  No doubt a good person, affable, but McCarthy proved his speaking ability is about the same as W, in the pretending to be a true believer interview with Sean Hannity that got him into so much trouble, and gave Hillary some fresh meat to bitch about, while causing the Standing Committee to be called partisan.

  He has nothing, NOTHING to do with the Tea Party Caucus, is not an economic or social Conservative, and has a F as a rating by Conservative organizations. Not what Republicans needed.

  The question will be, who is? Who can draw 247 votes, minimum, in the open Floor vote for Speaker? To be determined. McCarthy was wise to withdraw, and maybe will retain some position better aligned with his ability.

Note: The Speaker Of The House need not be a current Member, or even a past House Member, need only to command the vast majority of Republican Members, and hopefully a number of Democrat Members when they all vote.

Ms. Barbara could be the next Speaker, for instance, is she were to persuade the Members of her leadership capability and commitment. Quality is the key.

If they aren't Conservative enough, than what is? Vladimir Putin perhaps? Nothing got done because of that "Not Conservative enough" shit, and not because people wanted to actually *gasp* try to strike deals with the other party. Which is exactly what governing is supposed to look like. Neither side gets everything that they want. Endless show votes that go nowhere and extortion attempts have led the Republicans to this sad place. One of their own creation mind you.

It's great though, because it mirrors the comedy that has been their Presidential race for some time. The Democrats are going to have a field day with this one.

[GEMINIGUY]

When did Andrew McCarthy's brother become a Politician???

[Lois]

I would like to know just who Joan thinks is extreme enough to be her choice.

[Piper-Dreams]

I would like to know just who Joan thinks is extreme enough to be her choice.

Vladimir Putin.

[Lois]

I think it is time for the Republican Party to go the way of the Whigs, and the sooner the better. 

Kevin McCarthy’s Exit Proves What We Already Know—the GOP Is Completely Dysfunctional
The Republican Party has become not only antigovernment but anti-governing.
By John Nichols

http://www.thenation.com/article/kevin-mccarthys-exit-proves-what-we-already-know-the-gop-is-completely-dysfunctional/

[watcher1]

In truth, both parties need to become less extreme and more moderate or this country will wallow in gridlock for years. Since when has it become a sin to talk with those across the aisle in order to get America on its feet again?  More deal makers, less ideologues.

[joan1984]

I take it by "extreme", you mean a Speaker who will honor the Oath, and respect the U.S. Constitution? Hard to pick just one. Ideally, the leader would be someone who does not want that job, but who takes it, and herds cats as needed. The over 47 votes that Kevin McCarthy was denied, are the same people who were brought to Congress in 2010 and 2012, and 2014, who pledged to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, and actually meant what they swore an oath about.

Will see how the House sorts itself out, and a Speaker with a clear Majority from his own Party vote will serve the Congress better than would have Kevin McCarthy, or John Boehner. There is a difference between compromise and caving btw. Principled opposition is what is called for, when the President is stretching the bounds of his Office, and is what is needed. Using the Power of the Purse, and not abdicating Congressional power is what is necessary.

Apparently, John Boehner will seek to do as much damage as possible before he resigns, since his lackey was not selected, and in fact withdrew in defeat to avoid the vote.

Senator Mitch McConnell is next, and he should be feeling some heat now.

[Athos_131]

[Piper-Dreams]

I take it by "extreme", you mean a Speaker who will honor the Oath, and respect the U.S. Constitution? Hard to pick just one. Ideally, the leader would be someone who does not want that job, but who takes it, and herds cats as needed. The over 47 votes that Kevin McCarthy was denied, are the same people who were brought to Congress in 2010 and 2012, and 2014, who pledged to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, and actually meant what they swore an oath about.

Will see how the House sorts itself out, and a Speaker with a clear Majority from his own Party vote will serve the Congress better than would have Kevin McCarthy, or John Boehner. There is a difference between compromise and caving btw. Principled opposition is what is called for, when the President is stretching the bounds of his Office, and is what is needed. Using the Power of the Purse, and not abdicating Congressional power is what is necessary.

Apparently, John Boehner will seek to do as much damage as possible before he resigns, since his lackey was not selected, and in fact withdrew in defeat to avoid the vote.

Senator Mitch McConnell is next, and he should be feeling some heat now.

No, by extreme we mean someone who refuses to do business with the other side. Which is chiefly what tea party "Republicans" seem to think governing is all about. Mitch McConnell won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Unlike Boehner, his entire caucus elected him. It's lot harder to pull that shit in the Senate anyway.

[joan1984]

"do business with the other side"...

Which issues this year, 2015, do you have in mind, where Republicans in the House have not "done business with the other side"?

Is there some issue where the Republican position won the day? Has not the debt limit been raised every time it comes up? Am trying to think of one time that President Obama made a proposal that was not agreed to by the House.

Did Republicans not agree with President Obama and help pass Sequestration, to end the practical 'automatic increase' for every item in the Federal Budget?

Democrats not being in charge of the House or the Senate, no longer have the absolute say about what comes to the floor. When they had such power, they used it brutally, and rammed all manner of legislation through, by whatever means necessary, except items they don't really care about, and only wanted to maintain the issue for Campaign purposes, such as immigration, gun control, and all the other issues they ignored while they had absolute power.

Obamacare is one that was rammed through with no Republican support, and look at the lies unfolding regarding that mess. We still don't really know all the ramifications, which is why that needs to be uprooted in total, and replaced by a more transparent, and less costly, and more effective plan.

Working with the other side, in virtually every case, has meant Republicans caving and accepting, after some rhetoric, whatever Democrats proposed, with no effective way to combat it, or even negotiate with Democrats, for the 7 years to date of this Administration.

It is about time Republicans, actual ones, stand up and demand the issues important to constituents be aired and voted upon, not ignored by their own "leaders". Cantor was the warning shot across the bow, and virtually no changes were made... so not Boehner and McCarthy, who is next, one wonders.

True representation is the demand.

[Katiebee]

I think that the people you are mentioning don't really comprehend what the Constitution says, or how the Framers intended this government to work.

Operative word is "work."

[Piper-Dreams]

"do business with the other side"...

Which issues this year, 2015, do you have in mind, where Republicans in the House have not "done business with the other side"?

Is there some issue where the Republican position won the day? Has not the debt limit been raised every time it comes up? Am trying to think of one time that President Obama made a proposal that was not agreed to by the House.

Did Republicans not agree with President Obama and help pass Sequestration, to end the practical 'automatic increase' for every item in the Federal Budget?

Democrats not being in charge of the House or the Senate, no longer have the absolute say about what comes to the floor. When they had such power, they used it brutally, and rammed all manner of legislation through, by whatever means necessary, except items they don't really care about, and only wanted to maintain the issue for Campaign purposes, such as immigration, gun control, and all the other issues they ignored while they had absolute power.

Obamacare is one that was rammed through with no Republican support, and look at the lies unfolding regarding that mess. We still don't really know all the ramifications, which is why that needs to be uprooted in total, and replaced by a more transparent, and less costly, and more effective plan.

Working with the other side, in virtually every case, has meant Republicans caving and accepting, after some rhetoric, whatever Democrats proposed, with no effective way to combat it, or even negotiate with Democrats, for the 7 years to date of this Administration.

It is about time Republicans, actual ones, stand up and demand the issues important to constituents be aired and voted upon, not ignored by their own "leaders". Cantor was the warning shot across the bow, and virtually no changes were made... so not Boehner and McCarthy, who is next, one wonders.

True representation is the demand.

Well, considering this has been the least effective Congress in history, I would say they have done very little business in general. Unless you want to count show votes on PP and the ACA that are never going anywhere. So, a win on principle I guess?  Caving is what both parties have to do in order to govern. Neither side gets everything that they want. The key balance is to try to get a little better deal than the other side. You don't do that by holding debt hostage that you allowing a minority of legislatures to dictate terms. Until Republicans excise the Tea party and stop with the Conservative purity tests they are going to continue being ineffective in governance.

[Piper-Dreams]

I think that the people you are mentioning don't really comprehend what the Constitution says, or how the Framers intended this government to work.

Operative word is "work."

Yes, because sadly they didn't require a test in order to run for office. Most of them have inaccurate and even completely made up ideas on what the Constitution is.