Posted on 12/05/2012 4:06:39 PM PST by Fred
Just because some guy named Ned says that 218 votes are needed to elect a Speaker, and thus that 16 Republicans voting “present” can keep Boehner from the Speakership, does not make it so. The rules of the House have stated since at least 1913 (the earliest Speaker election analyzed by the Congressional Research Service in its 2011 study) that the election of Speaker requires a majority not of members, but of votes cast *for a person*. Thus, vacancies, abstentions, *and people voting “Present”* will not be included in the denominator. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30857.pdf
And this isn’t some arcane theory by the CRS; it was exactly what occurred as recently as 1997. That was the year of the attempted “coup” against Newt Gingrich, which fell apart, but around 8-10 Republicans voted “Present” in the Speaker election (plus 2 Republicans voted for RINO Jim Leach, 2 others voted for Republicans who had retired from Congress, and I assume that Newt abstained, as is customary for Speaker candidates). Due to all of those “Present” votes and abstentions, only 213 votes were required to elect a Speaker, and Newt was elected with 216 votes. Maybe Ned Ryun should do a little reading before shooting off his mouth next time.
The House of Representatives for the 113th Congress will convene with at most 434 members (Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s seat will be vacant). If 16 Republicans vote “Present,” at most 418 votes will be cast for a person for Speaker, meaning that Boehner would need only 210 votes to be elected Speaker. But if 34 Republicans vote “Present,” then Pelosi or some other Democrat could be elected Speaker with the 201 Democrat votes. So voting “Present” for Speaker won’t keep Boehner from being elected Speaker, unless so many Republicans do it that a Democrat gets elected Speaker.
The only way that 16 Republicans can prevent Boehner or a Democrat from becoming Speaker would be if they voted for actual persons, not vote “Present.” And that is not going to happen. All incoming Republican members had the chance to select the party’s Speaker candidate, and they all voted for Boehner; maybe a handful will cast protest votes for Ron Paul or something (I betcha that Paultard Justin Amash of MI-03 does just that), but it won’t come close to 16.
thank you. that is what I thought.
I know. :) But the person who gets the most votes, regardless of party, wins the Speaker’s chair.
Here’s to hoping Bonehead purges about 16 more conservatives.
If the House GOP can’t vote him out, I hope he gets scandaled out.
I’m for any way to remove him from leadership.
I think if you hit Nancy Pelosi with a crow bar she’d be laughing as long as she had the gavel in her hands...:O)
While there may be a logical explanation of why Boehner had them removed, I've come to the conclusion, he needs to go for the simple reason, he's not given one defense of his actions.
He created a PR nightmare without any defense. It's time to get someone articulate in the role. I recommend Congressman Steve King. If SK were Speaker, we wouldn't be in this mess.
I feel for Boehner, he may be trying his best to salvage some credibility for Republicans but he's doing a poor job of articulating the message.
Boehner may have been justified in removing them but it doesn't matter, he's created a PR nightmare and has not put up even the weakest defense. We need someone who can articulate his position with strength.
That’s not correct. The Speaker is selected by absolute majority of all votes cast, not a simple majority.
The Speaker must get 218 votes and the Democrats don’t have them.
Sixteen conservatives could simply vote for another candidate and Boehner wouldn’t have the votes either. He’s playing with fire.
Abstention by those sixteen, on the other hand, could elect Pelosi.
From CNN, November 7 2012: GOP retains grip on House
The House will return next week for a lame-duck session until new members take office in January, facing major unfinished business, including how to avoid the fiscal cliff.From MSNBC, November 14, 2012: Nancy Pelosi to keep gig as House minority leaderHouse Republicans will hold leadership elections next Wednesday, with Boehner and other top leaders expected to stay in their posts. House Democrats have postponed their leadership elections until after Thanksgiving.
Elections for leadership position within the Democratic Caucus are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 29.
These are a few examples from the news.
-PJ
16 or 160 or just 1, it is all a dog and pony show.
who will be third in line to be president?
that is the vote.
"Mr. Ackerman" "Aye."
"Mr. Adams" "Aye."
"Mr. Aderholt" "Aye."
"Point of order, Mr. Cantor"
"The Chair recognizes Mr. Huelskamp."
"I move that the House proceed to a voice vote on this matter."
"The Chair, having considered the request, will now proceed to a voice vote on the removal of the Speaker. All in favor please say 'Aye'."
"All those opposed?"
*crickets*
"The Ayes have it. The motion carries. The Speaker is removed."
Great post. Thanks for the added information. (What a mess this is!)
That actually might be a good thing in my book. I am past the point of caring, if the truth be known.
An Alinsky-ite.
That is the handwriting on the wall. Might as well read it and understand it.
Oh yeah. It was for a good reason. It’s called Democrat voter fraud.
“Hmmm...maybe West “lost” his election for a good REASON.”
>>You are demonstrably and painfully the worst speaker ever.
He’s bad and getting worse by the day, but I’d still give the title of “worst speaker ever” to Pelosi.
Dennis Hastert anyone?
Of course, the elections are held before the new House and Senate convenes in January, but no where in your proof does it say who votes for the leadership positions. The freshman class gathers in Washington for orientation, etc. The future members of both Houses are in Washington and the new House and Senate gathers for leadership votes.
They don't have to be sworn in to vote since these are party contests not mandated by the Constitution.
Then after they are sworn in, all House members vote for the Speaker.
Rest assured, the new House and Senate members have a vote; the departing members do not.
short list Tom McClintock..
Please add picks for speaker...
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