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McCarthy loses speaker vote for fifth time
UPI ^ | January 4, 2023 | By Matt Bernardini

Posted on 01/04/2023 12:25:30 PM PST by Red Badger

Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Kevin McCarthy lost for a fifth time his bid to lead Republicans as speaker of the House on Wednesday.

During the fourth and fifth ballots on Wednesday, McCarthy received 201 votes, while the Democratic Nominee, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, received 212 votes from Democrats as he did in each vote on Tuesday.

However, this time it was Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, instead of Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who took votes away from McCarthy. Donalds received 20 votes on the fourth and fifth ballots.

Opposition to McCarthy has been growing with each ballot. A total of 20 Republican colleagues opposed McCarthy during the third vote on Tuesday, which wrapped up shortly before 5 p.m., an increase from 19 during the second vote. He had collected 202 votes on the third ballot on Tuesday, one more than Wednesday's fourth ballot.

Rep.-elect Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., voted present in the fourth and fifth votes, voting for McCarthy in previous rounds.

It's unclear if there will be a sixth ballot on Wednesday.

Mike Gallagher, R-Wisc., nominated McCarthy for the fourth vote on Wednesday, saying he was the best choice to lead the party as the House convened for a fourth vote to settle the chamber's leadership.

"I believe that in my bones, nobody has done more to lay out a plan for how we restore the basic functioning of this institution than Kevin McCarthy," he said.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., nominated Jeffries for both the fourth and fifth vote, while Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, nominated Donalds.

"We do not seek to judge people by the color of their skin but rather the content of their character," Roy said. "There's an important reason for nominating Byron, and that is, this country needs a change."

Tuesday's vote marked the first time in 100 years a speaker has not been elected on the first ballot.

McCarthy expressed optimism on Tuesday night that he would still emerge victorious, even though some Republicans have suggested that McCarthy could lose more votes.

"This isn't about me," McCarthy told reporters. "This is about the conference now because the members who are holding out ... they want something for their personal selves."

McCarthy also told reporters that it doesn't matter if he loses more votes.

"It doesn't matter -- I have the most votes," he said.

Donalds had voted for McCarthy during the first two rounds, but voted against him during the third round. He suggested that McCarthy could lose more votes the longer voting goes on.

McCarthy has reportedly said that there is no scenario where he pulls out of the race for speaker, noting that he could seek a path in which he does not need to secure 218 votes, but rather a smaller majority by convincing some of his detractors to vote "present."

"You're sitting on 202 votes, so you need technically just 11 more votes to win," he said. "Democrats have 212 votes. You get 213 votes, and the others don't say another name, that's how you can win."

Ahead of Tuesday's votes, McCarthy had announced several concessions in a proposed House rules package, including changes to how the speaker could be removed, in an effort to gain the necessary votes. The concessions would allow any five Republican party members to call for the speaker's removal at any time, rather than a threshold of more than half of the House GOP conference that Republicans adopted in an internal rule in November.

Despite the concessions, several Republicans followed through on their plan to vote for Jordan.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia criticized fellow Republicans who opposed McCarthy, noting that even Jordan is supporting McCarthy.

"How did 19 Republicans not respect that?" Greene said. "I think 19, or 20 now, should respect Jim Jordan's wishes."

Former President Donald Trump said the Republicans should vote for McCarthy.

"I think it is a dangerous game, and, frankly, if they are not happy with him, they can do something about it at a later date," Trump told Fox News Digital in an interview. "I support [McCarthy] and I support getting the deal done. What I don't support is allowing this to continue onward."


TOPICS: Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 4dchess; braking; fifth; kabukitheater; nevertrumpersonfr; sidebarabuse; trumpsguykevin; trusttheplan; zoteverybody
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To: Jim Noble
The last time anyone in power cared about what the Republican rank and file thought about anything was 1928.

No disagreement from me. But I'm actually glad to see a handful of Republicans who are willing to fight; unlike so many who change their tune once they get elected.

81 posted on 01/04/2023 12:55:34 PM PST by voicereason (When a bartender can join Congress and become a millionaire...there’s a problem.)
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To: Red Badger

“It doesn’t matter — I have the most votes,”

Classis example of being tone deaf.


82 posted on 01/04/2023 12:55:39 PM PST by No Party Affiliation
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To: Governor Dinwiddie

I thought he was Frank Luntz butt boy..............


83 posted on 01/04/2023 12:58:23 PM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Clean_Sweep

So none of the members of congress have actually been sworn in yet because that does not happen until a speaker is sworn in.

In my book the taxpayers should be saving a lot of money on congressional paychecks. If they are not even sworn in then how can they collect a check.


84 posted on 01/04/2023 1:01:50 PM PST by Revel
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To: Red Badger

Some people are opposed to anyone who is even close to being a MAGA populist taking the 3rd position in line of succession.

You know why

Too much money and power is at stake to stomach such a possibility, however remote.


85 posted on 01/04/2023 1:08:24 PM PST by Bobalu (Elon should buy the Washington Post—and turn it into a newspaper.)
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To: Red Badger

Now someone evict him from the Speaker’s office he moved into as if it belonged to him.


86 posted on 01/04/2023 1:08:51 PM PST by HollyB
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To: Red Badger

Who else do they have that will get enough of the Rino vote I wonder?


87 posted on 01/04/2023 1:10:53 PM PST by garjog (Our opinions are what we will be known for. Our love is what we will be remembered for. )
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To: Governor Dinwiddie; All

“McCarthy is Paul Ryan’s Butt Boy.”

Once again, Wisconsin apologizes for foisting RINO Ryan on the rest of you. He had many of us fooled.

My ‘insiders’ in the WI GOP are totally over him, which speaks volumes.

We also have a new head of the WI GOP, Brian Schimming. He is a good friend and an awesome person. He headed up Senator Ron Johnson’s campaign this last time around. Expect better things out of the WI GOP as long as Brian is at the helm. :)

https://davidblaska.com/2022/12/10/brian-schimming-new-wi-gop-chairman/

(Full disclosure; Dave Blaska is a good friend, too. We’re both kind of crushed out on Brian, LOL!)


88 posted on 01/04/2023 1:11:42 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Revel

RE: If they are not even sworn in then how can they collect a check.
//////////////////////////////////

They all thought they were being paid by the hour as temps during the hours and hours of voting.


89 posted on 01/04/2023 1:12:22 PM PST by frank ballenger (You have summoned up a thundercloud. You're gonna hear from me. Anthem by Leonard Cohen)
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To: gov_bean_ counter; Red Badger

It may have been Mark Twain who said “If at first, you don’t succeed, try again. Then, if you don’t succeed, quit. There’s no sense in being a damn fool about it.”


90 posted on 01/04/2023 1:12:27 PM PST by Kickaha (See the glory...of the royal scam )
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To: garjog

Plenty. They are a dime a dozen..............


91 posted on 01/04/2023 1:13:53 PM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: TexasGator

So is schumer


92 posted on 01/04/2023 1:15:48 PM PST by pghbjugop
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To: TexasGator


McCathy is Trump’s friend.

maybe Trump will help him move his boxes of krap out of the speakers office


93 posted on 01/04/2023 1:15:56 PM PST by 867V309 (Lock Her Up)
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To: pghbjugop

And Hillary


94 posted on 01/04/2023 1:19:02 PM PST by TexasGator (!!!)
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To: Red Badger
Kinda warms the cockles of my heart! snicker
95 posted on 01/04/2023 1:21:52 PM PST by Road Warrior ‘04 (BOYCOTT The NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR & Faux Snooze! Molon Labe! Oathkeeper! )
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To: Red Badger

96 posted on 01/04/2023 1:22:58 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: 867V309

Heh, Good one!


97 posted on 01/04/2023 1:24:59 PM PST by LegendHasIt
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To: navymom1

Sit back and watch. That’s what I’m doing.


Nah, ill pass. This barely moves my “give a F” meter.


98 posted on 01/04/2023 1:27:35 PM PST by hillarys cankles
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To: navymom1

99 posted on 01/04/2023 1:28:50 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

Wondering if there’s a way to encourage those who are voting Donalds or present to “hold the line.” Anyone put together a group email? Thanks.


100 posted on 01/04/2023 1:32:12 PM PST by J. Worthington
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