Straus lost some of his core GOP support. However, he still holds enough so that with ‘Rat support he can get the Speakership. Since his win is inevitable much GOP support is only for tactical reasons of staying on his good side. If next time around we can knock off a few more of his hardcore GOP support as well as taking some more ‘rat seats his threat of retaliation won’t be able to carry him in again. Fortunately, the momentum is in that direction and he knows it. Maybe that will temper his impulse to side with the ‘rats on everything.
/johnny