John Boehner exit: Anyone can run for House speaker, even you

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | Septmeber 25, 2015 | Peter Grier

[Chgogal]

Who can replace Speaker of the House John Boehner, who announced Friday he’s quitting? Almost anyone. Maybe even you.

This isn’t a comment on the job Representative Boehner has or has not done in his role as leader of his legislative chamber. It’s meant to illustrate a little-known fact: Under the Constitution, the speaker does not have to be a member of the House. He or she doesn’t have to be an elected lawmaker or government official. The speaker can be an ordinary, private citizen.

In fact, there really are not any legal restrictions on qualifications for that office. The relevant words are from the Constitution’s Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5: “The House of Representatives shall chuse [sic] their Speaker and other Officers."

[itsahoot]

How do I apply?

How much money do you have?

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Probably not enough.

[duffee]

“Even this guy might be running”

Congressional healthcare would help with his mange problem.

[Maceman]

I would love it to be Newt!

[Tzimisce]

They’re not going to elect someone who’s not a member of the House to be speaker.

That position is reserved for important people....

[Art in Idaho]

Newt Gingrich for speaker. He would shake things up!

[Art in Idaho]

Hannity asked Newt if he would run for Speaker? Newt said : "This requires serious thought. . this is a serious sobering time in American History. . If the house conference wanted me to be helpful, I would always be available as a citizen to be helpful. . you show up with 218 votes, I'll talk with you. . I just heard about this 10 minutes ago. . the new speaker will have to very aggressive with the media. . the new speaker has to fight. . executive amnesty, I would cut off the money. . people don't understand what closing the government means. . you have to have a willingness to tell the President what you are doing is unconstitutional. . I would cut off funding. ."

I couldn't help thinking, he sounds like Trump. . a Fighter! . . You could get the feeling Newt was thinking a million miles an hour. Can you imagine what's going through his mind now? This is a possibility!

Draft Newt!

[RKBA Democrat]

I agree. While I prefer Dave Brat, the logical choice is Newt. The guy is a reprobate (which would appeal to the rinos), is conservative, has actually put forth and implemented conservative policies, and has the experience of having done the job before.

[ETL]

That was supposed to have been a joke, as in ‘everybody’s running for the office, even the dog catcher’.

[duffee]

I knew that but couldn’t resist.