[Jim Noble]

If the Republicans split the vote for Speaker, can the Dems vote, en masse, for Pelosi and then she can win the Speakershiip???

No, not that way.

There will be at least two candidates - Boehner and Pelosi. Either needs 218 votes to win.

Pelosi starts with 188. She needs 30 Republicans to be elected.

Boehner starts with 247. He has to lose 30 Republicans to be defeated.

Say the first ballot is Boehner 217, candidate X 30, Pelosi 188. Now Pelosi and Boehner face off. If the bloc of 30 for candidate X stays solid, are there 30 GOPe members who will switch to Pelosi on the second ballot to punish the rebels so severely that they will never speak up again?

[txhurl]

So you’re saying the Speakership is subject to a literal runoff?? whoa

Of course no Rs will vote for Pelosi, this is a recorded vote.