The Long Fight for the House Speakership

American Thinker ^ | 8 Jan, 2023 | Clarice Feldman

[MtnClimber]

The extended House speakership debate may at last result in Congress more skillfully playing the role designed for it in the Constitution.

Much has been made of the fact that it took 15 votes until Republican Kevin McCarthy finally secured the Speakership of the House. Powerline Blog has rounded up a series of the internet cartoons and memes about the long fight. With their salaries on the line, I never imagined the fight would continue much longer. It would appear that the extended debate may at last result in Congress more skillfully playing the role designed for it in the Constitution and a much-needed return to the regular order of business in the House.

Many emphasized that the fight represented a disastrous split in the party whose hold on the House is but a rather thin majority. Others, like the priceless Babylon Bee, noted it was a very big deal that the House members actually showed up to work for four days.

As usual, the Bee underlines a serious point. Too many of the members have not shown up in person to work, but have been phoning it in per Nancy Pelosi’s permission to do so.

But that’s not the worst thing about the Pelosi House: Increasingly the Congress has whiffed on its responsibilities to legislate -- writing broad laws and leaving it to unelected bureaucrats to fill in the important blanks. On really important legislation like ObamaCare, members never even had an opportunity to read the Bill before voting on it. The level of mendacious doings on the Hill seemed to have reached new heights.

So, unlike those who made fun of the heated debate which preceded the final McCarthy victory. I think it was healthy and overdue.

[MtnClimber]

I don’t expect McCarthy to stand up to the democRATs. As soon as it is clear that he won’t stand for conservative principles I hope he is ousted in an unceremonious manner.

[MtnClimber]

Clarice ping.

[napscoordinator]

He’s got a numbers problem. He can only lose 4 votes period. If he’s goes to conservative, 4 RINOs will vote no. If he goes moderate, 4 MAGAs will vote no. He’s in a tough spot. Wonder why nobody wanted the job? That’s it.

[Da Coyote]

Indeed. we are screwed, blued, and tattooed.
His coefficient of RINOsity is approaching .999.

[Karliner]

Big whoopee, they held out three days.

[Socon-Econ]

The MAGA insurgents fought a good fight and sent McCarthy a message that he’s being watched. They also knew when to settle — if they had caused the election of a Democrat or a concensus speaker, they’d have been the most hated Republicans in the party.

[1Old Pro]

The extended House speakership debate may at last result in Congress more skillfully playing the role designed for it in the Constitution.

Let's hope so, and let's get Executive oversight in high gear - this administration and the various departments are way out of line, rein them in.

[GTM01]

I also think it was healthy and overdue. Finally we get some debate instead of being a herd of sheep to go along with what the leader submits. Finally, we get another opinion from our representatives instead of vote this way! An example is the Omnibus Bill that was passed. Put out to be reviewed when most people are sleeping, to be voted on the next morning - no debate - no mentioning what is in it (good or bad) - just vote this way. . . Just like a herd of sheep being led around. Can’t tell me that everyone reviewed it - just vote this way or else - Every Democrat voted for it. How many actually reviewed it? Very few. They were told how to vote, being led around just like a herd of sheep. Seems like every bill brought before the floor (both houses) is handled this way. That’s not right, but that seems to be the way things are run in our failing government. We, the people, need to have our so-called representatives represent us! not just the person overseeing the herd. Tell us what is good and what is bad in a debate. Nice to see that a few, very few, have some gonads to do this.

[1Old Pro]

+1

[upchuck]

Thanks for the ping MtnClimber.

Clarice Feldman ping.

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[bitt]

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