Indecision 2022

[Grumble]

I don’t suppose it will make a difference either way to Biden, but will he be able to do anything for the next two years?

[dyqik]

The D's will stay united against someone like McCarthy, but they would negotiate for a moderate R, non-leadership and who didn't vote against certifying the 2020 election, I think.

I think this is not entirely clear, and in addition, a Republican candidate who was acceptable to enough Democrats would thereby lose a bunch of Republican votes.

An important point though is that you don't need an absolute majority, just a majority of those who vote for a named person. So McCarthy (or some other R) wouldn't actually need Democrat votes, just enough Democrats who miss the vote or vote "present". That's still a high bar, but a lower one than expecting a D to vote affirmatively for an R.

Of course, the same applies to a D supported moderate R, which may be another way to get there.

[lpm]

I don’t suppose it will make a difference either way to Biden, but will he be able to do anything for the next two years?

He will be able to abuse Executive Orders, like Obama and Trump did.

He has the Senate so can push through loads of judges.

He might be able to get some basic survival things through the House.

[monkey]

Mcarthy's picked up a couple of the hold outs in this vote, and it's still early. Might get interesting.

ETA: And some more while I was writing.

[dyqik]

Mcarthy's picked up a couple of the hold outs in this vote, and it's still early. Might get interesting.

ETA: And some more while I was writing.

6 against now, so not enough this round unless some Ds are missing in action.

[monkey]

Mcarthy's picked up a couple of the hold outs in this vote, and it's still early. Might get interesting.

ETA: And some more while I was writing.

6 against now, so not enough this round unless some Ds are missing in action.

There was 1 (not enough).

This is now the interesting bit.

[dyqik]

No lucky 13 for Kev.

[TimW]

But at least he's taken the lead!

[bolo]

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, after McCarthy failed to gather enough support to be elected House Speaker in now 11 consecutive votes, Gaetz excluded the possibility of a deal between Republicans and Democrats to elect a moderate Republican as House leader, vowing to resign if one were chosen.

Best argument for a bipartisan deal that I've seen yet.

[IvanV]

McCarthy elected at the 15th ballot.. A deal finally satisfied enough of the holdouts, mainly on procedural issues that will make it harder for him to govern.