[chimera]

I don't understand how this can happen now. The new Congress hasn't convened. The Congress now is not a 'Rat majority. They've got some new members coming in who haven't taken office yet, and so can't vote on things like this. Is it some kind of symbolic gesture, a sort of rub your nose in it deal? Wouldn't surprise me if it were. Can't expect much class from a bunch of 'Rats.

[Southerngl]

>>>I don't understand how this can happen now. >>>

I don't either. This is not the Congress that will be in place in January. How can that Congress elect him when they aren't there yet?

[MEGoody]

The new Congress hasn't convened.

Doesn't stop them from theatrics, er, preparing.

[Lurking Libertarian]

I don't understand how this can happen now. The new Congress hasn't convened. The Congress now is not a 'Rat majority. They've got some new members coming in who haven't taken office yet, and so can't vote on things like this. Is it some kind of symbolic gesture, a sort of rub your nose in it deal? Wouldn't surprise me if it were. Can't expect much class from a bunch of 'Rats.

Both parties do this every Congress. The Republicans will be electing their leadership for the new Congress tomorrow.

The formal vote is taken when the new Congress convenes, but both parties do the actual electing early, so the new leaders can start preparing.