The newly elected members of the House of Representatives met today to elect a Speaker. The expectation was that Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, would be elected Speaker. On the first vote - the one that has determined the Speaker for the past century, McCarthy failed to win a majority; he needed 218 votes but received 203. In fact, the plurality of votes (212) went to a Democrat. On the second ballot, McCarthy again failed to win the majority. On the third ballot, McCarthy's vote total dropped to 202.
The Freedom Caucus telegraphed this move, allowing McCarthy the opportunity to politic in advance of the vote. Either he failed to politic - which demonstrates that he is unqualified - or he failed to win the votes to avoid this embarrassment - which also demonstrates that he is unqualified.
Prior to the second vote, Matt Gaetz called upon the Republicans to vote for Jim Jordan. On the first ballot, the votes for speaker were divided among 1 Democrat and 6 Republicans. On the 2nd and 3rd ballots, the votes were divided among 1 Democrat (212), Kevin McCarthy (203/202), and Jim Jordan (20/19). Unable to elect a Speaker, the House adjourned until tomorrow.
How will this impasse be overcome? McCarthy could request votes from Democrats to make up his deficit, but that will involve some serious concessions that would destroy his speakership from the start. He could offer concessions to the Freedom Caucus - which has a much stronger position that it had yesterday - to win enough votes. However, that again leaves him as a weak Speaker. He could step aside. Even if he does this, Jordan will not be elected Speaker. Jordan has shown hostility to the uniparty that has driven the debt to astronomical levels, ignored the open border, and shoveled billions of dollars to Ukraine.
Fresh of their 'victory' in the 2022 election, the Republican Party is imploding before it can even exercise power. Time for popcorn!
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