Conservatives have a majority of the Republican caucus, but moderates have about 1/3 of the caucus and there are some outright liberal Democrats (like Peter King) in the caucus. The Republicans hold a caucus meeting, and conservatives depose Boehner and a majority of the caucus votes for someone conservative, like Steve King or Louie Gohmert. Now, the liberals and moderates are unhappy with that, as they are actually progressives who don't want to roll back socialism, just slow it down a little. And progressive Republicans know how to fight, but they only do it when fighting against conservatives. So they will push back.
They will say that if you don't compromise with them and find a speaker that they can agree with, they will not vote for the conservative candidate, notwithstanding that the majority of the caucus has voted for the conservative. It only takes 17 or 18 libs to deny the conservatives their candidate. And thus, we get a stalemate.
In California, in that situation, the Dems approached some liberal Republican and offered to use their votes to make him speaker. There was only a one or two vote majority, so it was easier to engineer that deal, but I bet Pelosi could find 17 Republican votes to make a Peter King type speaker. If she can't the stalemate continues until one side or the other gives in, or they find a candidate that they compromise on. Maybe Paul Ryan, reliably GOPe, formerly considered conservative, or someone like that.
I am not saying that this is how it would go down, but I am pointing out that it could get complicated and messy trying to get rid of Boehner when so many Republicans are progressive and absolutely hate conservatives. When Gingrich became speaker, it was not a problem, because he had spent years making the majority happen, and was the one who did it, and because his caucus did not have as many quislings. Back then, Boehner was a conservative. It took years of DC corruption to turn so many conservatives into squishy moderates and/or just plain old political hacks.
So, by all means, let's dump Boehner and vote a conservative in as speaker, but be on the lookout for all kinds of shenanigans.
Very good and informative post. You have a good grasp of the political dynamics and explain it well.
I would love to see Louie Gohmert as speaker but realize the chances of that happening are slim and none.
Regards.