Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.

Come on, man.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Let there be snark.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

This blog will pay for itself.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

The willow is too close to the house.

Meanwhile over at truth Social, the former president is busy confessing to crimes.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

I did not have telepathic declassification on my 2022 bingo card.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Second rate reporter says what?

You are here: Home / Politics / Democratic Politics / Voting, Round Two!

Reader Interactions

229Comments

  5. 5.

    Renie

    I would love to see McCarthy lose a second time!!  LOL  I’m sure there are several NYT reporters who will figure out a way to blame the Dems for this.

  6. 6.

    Barbara

    I am genuinely curious as to why they have fixated such antipathy on McCarthy.  I don’t like him, but I don’t like any of them.

  7. 7.

    Kent

    Seems like the best strategy for McCarthy is to just sit back and let the vast majority of mainstream GOPers who support him get fed up and mad and start applying pressure on the recalcitrant few.  It is one thing to dick around and have McCarthy pissed at you.  It is something else to have the entire GOP contingent beyond pissed at you and fed up.

     

    But what do I know.

  8. 8.

    Alison Rose

    I’m trying to keep track of whether any of the R no votes against McCarthy flip to voting for him. So far none have. But if CNN cuts in with commentary again, it’ll be harder to hear the names being asked for votes.

  9. 9.

    Taphozous

    Gaetz nominates Jordan who nominated McCarthy.  The descent into ridiculousness is nearly complete.

  11. 11.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Barbara: some variation on adolescent opposition disorder?

    it’s almost funny that McCarthy had to send Jordan up to defend him. I don’t think meth-addled Chuckie doll plays well with Normie viewers (to the extent there are any)

    ETA: I heard somebody on MSNBC suggest Patrick McHenry might emerge as the compromise/caretaker candidate. I remember when he was considered part of the spook-the-horses right.

  13. 13.

    Soprano2

    You know, even though we find this funny, what’s happening is really not funny. Not at all.

  15. 15.

    piratedan

    @Barbara: I think its because Qevin has shown himself to be absolutely without any values other than he wants to be Speaker…. which means that he will say ANYTHING to obtain the office… so if you’re a seditious conspirator, he’s not exactly the guy who will have your back.  Just sayin’.

  18. 18.

    Betty Cracker

    Here are the Repubs who voted against McCarthy is the first round. All who have voted so far in round two did so again.

    Andy Biggs
    Dan Bishop
    Lauren Boebert
    Josh Brecheen
    Mike Cloud
    Andrew Clyde
    Eli Crane
    Matt Gaetz
    Bob Good
    Paul Gosar
    Andy Harris
    Anna Paulina Luna
    Mary Miller
    Ralph Norman
    Andy Ogles
    Scott Perry
    Matt Rosendale
    Chip Roy
    Keith Self

  19. 19.

    dmsilev

    @Taphozous:

    The descent into ridiculousness is nearly complete.

    Wait until they start nominating non-House members. Then we will dial the ridiculousness up to 11. Speaker TFG, anyone?

  26. 26.

    Scout211

    CNN is saying that Gym Jordan is “rallying support” for McCarthy after McCarthy’s “humiliating” defeat in the first vote. Hahahaha!

    The plan? Gym Jordan is on it.  Humiliate the leader and then “rescue him.”  But McCarthy is the Speaker in name only from that point on. Gym Jordan, shadow Speaker. For two years.

  28. 28.

    Tony Jay

    The Democrats should go through the GOP caucus alphabetically, throwing all 212 of their votes behind each Gopite in turn. Before you know it they’ll get close to Boebert and the stench of dawning horror will start to waft across Congress like the finest tear-gas.

  29. 29.

    Baud

    @Renie:

    I’m sure there are several NYT reporters who will figure out a way to blame the Dems for this.

    Dems fail to support McCarthy, Throw House into Disarry!

  32. 32.

    Matt McIrvin

    Speaker TFG, anyone?

    That one actually worries me because the idea has its origins in a really blatant coup plot–the entire reason would be to put him third in line for the Presidency.

  35. 35.

    piratedan

    @Baud: I was thinking of:

    Dems reject GOP offer of endless investigations of the dubious dealings of the Biden Administration in shallow tactic of partisan gamesmanship.

  36. 36.

    Captain C

    @Baud:

    Dems fail to support McCarthy, Throw House into Disarry!

    Subhead:  Once Again, Dems Refuse To Screw Selves, Country, World, for the Sake of Republicans and This Publication

  37. 37.

    Taphozous

    McCarthy is not going to win the second round.  What’s the betting on how this turns out?

    McCarthy wins a third ballot after making even more humiliating concessions/promises?

    Gym Jordan wins on the third ballot?

    TFG is nominated, further confusing things?

  39. 39.

    Bill Arnold

    @piratedan:

    Dems reject GOP offer of endless investigations of the dubious dealings of the Biden Administration in shallow tactic of partisan gamesmanship.

    That’s almost Pitchbot-worthy.

  41. 41.

    JMG

    We’re striking the Christmas set here today, trees, wreaths, all trappings. Apart from spilling water on myself carrying the larger tree stand outside and then falling on the steps from the foyer to the living room and whacking my head (a scrape or two, nothing serious) it’s going perfectly. But it does mean I am following this drama by following your comments, which is much better, especially funnier, than cable news could ever be.

  44. 44.

    Leto

    Whoever is sitting next to Taylor-Pasteeater looks like a younger, though no less heavier, Newt Gingrich. Shitbirds of a feather and all…

  45. 45.

    Matt McIrvin

    I honestly thought the speculation about trouble electing a Speaker was a nothingburger and would fizzle when it came time to vote. Appears it wasn’t.

  47. 47.

    Captain C

    @Taphozous:

    TFG is nominated, further confusing things?

    What are chances that, if this happens, 5 Republicans from Biden say ‘fuckit!’, declare themselves the Independent Republican Caucus, and align with the Democrats?  If they’re going to get primaried out or lose to a Democrat in ’24 anyway, they might as well give themselves a chance to do something productive.

  48. 48.

    Bill Arnold

    @Taphozous:

    What’s the betting on how this turns out?

    I don’t bet on such things, but am advocating for maximum hilarity. With a side of good news for Democrats.

  50. 50.

    Martin

    Jym Jordan as speaker would be hilarious. Like Trump, Jordan is entirely performative. I’m convinced that Jordan doesn’t want the job because he saw what happened to the last wrestling coach that became leader and knows that his baggage is even greater on that front.

  51. 51.

    Another Scott

    My vague recollection is that Zombie Eyed Granny Starver said he wouldn’t serve and everyone had to “beg” him to take the job. Which he eventually did, maybe after getting some promises of turning down the crazy knob for a while.

    If Qevin were a strategic thinker, he might withdraw from the race after losing 2x and wait for the incoming monsters to come begging to him so that they can actually take office. It would strengthen his position a tiny bit after giving up so much to try to beg for their support.

    It always looks bad when everyone can see that one wants something too much. He needs to show that he can play the game of reluctantly taking the prize.

    Can he? Will he? Dunno.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  52. 52.

    WaterGirl

    I think that in vote 3 we’ll know whether this is performative – put Kevin in his place, let him know who’s boss, and have Gym Jordan as shadow speaker

    OR

    if they are serious about putting someone else in place.  If they want to play hardball, some of the people who haven’t been voting for Kevin withhold their votes until the end and then several of the vote PRESENT in turn, until Hakeem is one vote short of winning the speaker vote.

    Then we’ll see what they are really after, maybe in vote 4.

  53. 53.

    Roger Moore

    @piratedan:

    Qevin has shown himself to be absolutely without any values other than he wants to be Speaker…. which means that he will say ANYTHING to obtain the office… so if you’re a seditious conspirator, he’s not exactly the guy who will have your back.

    Or, from a more mercenary standpoint, it means he’s a perfect target for extortion.  If he cares more about becoming Speaker than anything else, he should be willing to pay any price for your vote, since whatever he’s giving up is less valuable to him than the vote.  Paradoxically, being completely mercenary that way makes him less effective than having principles would.

  54. 54.

    Dangerman

    Damn, McCarthy might lose more votes this time. Maybe he can have Donald fly up from MAL for a quick pat on, um, the back.

  55. 55.

    Geminid

    @Betty Cracker: Mary Miller won a primary against Rodney Davis, another Illinois incumbent. Almost all the district’s county chairman endorsed Davis, while Trump endorsed Miller.

    The head to head matchup was courtesy of Springfield Democrats and their successful gerrymander. They took special care to draw a new Democratic 13th CD so as to include Water Girl’s hometown. Now her Representative is Democrat Nikki Budzinski, who seems like a very capable woman.

  56. 56.

    Alison Rose

    This is sort of the essence of the problem. Many House Republicans didn’t run to govern. They ran to be part of a reality TV show. Their goal is shit show. https://t.co/Nk5ZrmvMF6
    — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2023

    The quote-tweet says: One House Republican: “I love shit shows and this is a shit show to behold.”

  58. 58.

    trollhattan

    First day back at the office after two weeks, and boss is on vacay all week. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  59. 59.

    dww44

    @Barbara: ​
     I agree with your take. And when a TV reporter or other talks about the more “conservative” members of the Republican caucus (i.e. the Freedom Caucus), I begin to question the very definition of “conservative”. Seems to me we’re not talking about “conservatives” but rather we are talking about ” radical reactionaries,” which is what the overwhelming majority of them are. I’m tired of the goal posts being moved ever rightwards.

  60. 60.

    Immanentize

    What is the over/under on whether McCarthy cries on the floor after the third ballot?

  61. 61.

    Gretchen

    AOC was seen having serious conversations with Gaetz and Godard. Is she whipping anti McCarthy votes for Jeffries?

  62. 62.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Tony Jay:

    The Democrats should go through the GOP caucus alphabetically, throwing all 212 of their votes behind each Gopite in turn. Before you know it they’ll get close to Boebert and the stench of dawning horror will start to waft across Congress like the finest tear-gas.

    That would sure scare the shit out of me.  One can only hope it would have the same effect on the GQP, but so many of them are so far gone, who knows?

  63. 63.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Baud: I am not overburdened with faith in my fellow Americans, but I really think the focus on Hunter Biden is gonna take them nowhere, rather slowly.

    @Matt McIrvin:  me, too. I wonder if some bundlers are getting some very angry phone calls from the people whose money they bundle

  64. 64.

    trollhattan

    @Another Scott: Think you’re correct. After Cantor made it look like the world’s worst political jerb, nobody else seemed to want the thing.

    See also: UK PM.

    Has Head ‘o Lettuce (R, Safeway) received any votes?

  65. 65.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Another Scott: Yep. That’s what I would have done if I was Kevin.

    Basically tell his caucus that he’s the only option that can get 218 votes at all, he’s made several concessions to help ease their fears, and that’s all he’s going to do. If they won’t give it to him they can vote for someone else, but they should remember that he’s the ONLY end result that makes any sense.

    And then drop it and leave. None of this other weak stuff he’s pulling.

  66. 66.

    White & Gold Purgatorian

    @Renie: I’m sure there are several NYT reporters who will figure out a way to blame the Dems for this.

    Well, duh! All the Democrats keep voting for Hakeem Jeffries (he’s black, you know) instead of Kevin. If Dems supported our Kev, he would have won on the first vote.

  67. 67.

    Barbara

    @Alison Rose: Do they actually think a lot of people who aren’t already hyperconnected to politics have any interest in this show?  It has pretty low entertainment value as a spectacle.

  74. 74.

    trollhattan

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Hunter Biden has a familiar last name. That’s it–doubt most Americans could pick his image out of a pile of politician kids portraits.

    Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi got attached to Killary, making up for nobody knowing what nation or continent it’s located.

  79. 79.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @Another Scott:

    My vague recollection is that Zombie Eyed Granny Starver said he wouldn’t serve and everyone had to “beg” him to take the job.

    Sort of.  Boehner couldn’t quit until he found someone to replace him.  The Teabaggers were too crazy to agree to anyone the merely hardcore asshole Republicans would agree to.  Boehner managed to convince everyone on Ryan as a compromise.  I guess because Ryan was a nutcase who the media was convinced was serious?

  80. 80.

    Suzanne

    Wouldn’t it be hilarious if we all, each of us, had our own personal Kevin?

    Lord. This is great shit.

  81. 81.

    ...now I try to be amused

    @trollhattan:

    Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi got attached to Killary, making up for nobody knowing what nation or continent it’s located.

    Nobody but those who had read about the North African campaign of World War II. It felt weird seeing Tobruk in the news for the first time since 1942.

  82. 82.

    rylen

    Advice wanted:

    Do I call my representative, Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and ask that he vote against McCarthy? Plus: more Freedom Caucus idiots potentially breaking and further republican disarray. Con: this is how you get bad things like a Speaker Jordan.

  84. 84.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Gretchen: I think if anyone’s going to try that kind of ploy, it will be Don Bacon talking to Jared Golden about Fred Upton, nothing will come of it.

    from two never-trumpers

    Tim Miller @Timodc 50m
    The problem is the type of Republicans who might consider this Sorkinized happy ending have been purged. This conference doesn’t have any Jim Leach types. There’s 2 impeachers. Plus 2 or 3 old-line Tuesday Group types. Plus 1 or 2 new normals in Biden districts. #s arent there

    John Kasich @JohnKasich 1h
    A block of House Republicans should get together with Democrats to pick a speaker to run a coalition government, which will moderate the House and marginalize the extremists.

    and along the lines of how things change: I remember when John Kasich was the Paul Ryan of the Gingrich era, just a green-eye shade numbers guy! a real policy wonk! Tweety had a Kasich poster inside his locker, so I recall people saying at the time.

  85. 85.

    bbleh

    @Alison Rose: Use C-span.  They keep a tally on the screen.  And the ones who voted against the first time are — oh never mind, Betty beat me to it at #18

  87. 87.

    ...now I try to be amused

    @Baud:

    Man, if the Dems has won five more seats, we would have passed 3 major bills by now.

    Do-Nothing Congress, Day 1.

  89. 89.

    Qrop Non Sequitur

    Just called my rep. If this becomes a protracted thing, I want the Dems trying to cut deals.

  90. 90.

    Scout211

    Jordan already has 16 in the CNN ticker.

    now 17. This will be a long afternoon. I do feel for the families attending, especially the children.

  91. 91.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @trollhattan:

    Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi-Benghazi got attached to Killary, making up for nobody knowing what nation or continent it’s located.

    Also giving people who didn’t know why they hated her a reason to hate her, much as WALL STREET SPEECHES! did for her detractors on the Left.

  92. 92.

    MisterDancer

    @rylen: Do I call my representative, Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and ask that he vote against McCarthy?

    “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”

  93. 93.

    artem1s

    Hell if these assholes nominate TFG I think Jeffries should nominate Hillary just for LULZ

  97. 97.

    Mike in NC

    Did anybody notice if McQuarthy was seen handing out $100 bills before the voting began?

  98. 98.

    different-church-lady

    At this point it would not at all surprise me if they get so confused they accidentally elect Hunter Biden as speaker.

  101. 101.

    Geminid

    @Barbara: I cannot see a rational reason for knocking McCarthy out. He’s become sort of a scapegoat though, for the all the animus the radicals feel towards the Republican establishment. If they can stop  McCarthy they may rally behind Scalise, even though in practical terms Scalise won’t run the caucus much differently than McCarthy would have. The radicals will have gotten their blood sacrifice, though.

  104. 104.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Matt McIrvin:

    Your own personal Kevin!
    Someone to take your pokes!
    Someone who chokes!

    REACH OUT! TOUCH FAIL!

    Now I’ve got that as an earworm. Thanks a bunch.

  105. 105.

    Renie

    @Gretchen:  For Jeffries to be Speaker would be ridiculous for his future.  GOP would not work with him at all and nothing being done would be blamed on him and then the Democrats.  I doubt he would even want it with GOP in the majority.

  106. 106.

    MattF

    I guess the Crazy Caucus wants to be certain that McCarthy is humiliated. Again and again, because it’s what they do. Problem is that it’s the only thing they can do, so we see perseveration. Again and again. Like the four-year-old who sees that he has a way of making mommy and daddy angry, so he does it again and again. The four-year-old doesn’t get bored because his neurological development is incomplete.

  107. 107.

    Leto

    @rylen: your time is better spent on popcorn and tasty beverages. I say this as a former constituent of Jim Clyburn who was redistricted into Mick Mulvaney’s shithole, which of course is now Ralph Nimrod. When I retired from the AF, I made sure my supervisor contacted Clyburn’s office to get my official flag.

  110. 110.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Scout211:

    I do feel for the families attending, especially the children.

    “Daddy, please don’t make me sit through another ballot!  I promise I’ll do my chores the moment we get home, and then do my homework right afterwards!”

  111. 111.

    lowtechcyclist

    @zhena gogolia:

    Why doesn’t Jeffries win if he has more votes?

    The House rules are that you have to have a majority of all the votes.  A plurality doesn’t cut it.

  112. 112.

    Redshift

    Since I don’t think the press corps in general is deliberately trying to make McCarthy look bad in photos, I am forced to conclude that he has Resting Stupid Face.

    Not that he isn’t stupid, but he also seems unable to avoid having it on full display all the time.

  114. 114.

    Baud

    I think it’s wonderful of the GOP to cement Nancy Pelosi’s legacy as a leader in this way.

  115. 115.

    Tony Jay

    @lowtechcyclist:

    Since the Republican Representatives-Elect are going to turn this into a blazing inferno of lunacy anyway, the Dems might as well have some fun with it on the nation’s behalf.

    And anyway, they’ve got to get past Reps-Elect Aardvark, Abbadon, Absinthe, Adrenal, and Assholio before they get close to Boom-Boom Boebert. Plenty of time for Cringe McCarthy to completely lose his tiny mind and run around the chamber hooting like a gravid swan.

  117. 117.

    Leto

    @Mike in NC: I don’t think Chucky Cheese “money” is valid… anywhere.

    @MattF: I mean, if that’s their kink… cool. Can they do that shit in private and let the rest of us move on to responsible governing? No? Well ok then.

  118. 118.

    Steeplejack

    @Steeplejack:

    I can’t find it now, so it may have been someone mimicking the NYT Pitchbot, but here’s another good one: “Why Kevin McCarthy’s once-in-a-century faceplant is bad for Joe Biden.”

  120. 120.

    Kirk Spencer

    I am pondering the fiasco of 6+ Republicans walk off the floor in a high drama low thought display of anti-kevin, suddenly leaving the Democrats with the majority present.

  121. 121.

    different-church-lady

    Someone needs to rewrite that hysterical Musk with the bin of squirrels tweet. How the hell is McCarthy gonna lead this rabid den?

  122. 122.

    Another Scott

    @zhena gogolia: The winner has to have a majority of the total votes for a named candidate.  The GQPers will only vote for GQPers, so Democrats won’t win the majority (even if the GQPers vote for 222 separate candidates).

    HTH!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  125. 125.

    Redshift

    @lowtechcyclist: If the anti-Qevin wingnuts voted “present” instead of voting for their own loser candidate, Jeffries would win, because it’s a majority of those voting for a candidate.

    I wouldn’t wish it on him for reasons that have already been mentioned, but it would still be hilarious if it happened because the (more) crazy caucus didn’t understand procedure and math.

  129. 129.

    Betty Cracker

    FWIW, my husband is watching CNN, and they are absolutely trashing Republicans on the optics of this shit-show, which is the most important thing to the highly paid Beltway dopes.

  131. 131.

    bbleh

    @zhena gogolia: @Sean: @Geminid: technically (“by tradition”) it takes a majority of those present and voting for someone by name, not an absolute majority.  So absent members (there’s 1 today) don’t count, and anyone voting “present” isn’t supposed to count either.  So, if, say, 11 Republicans voted “present,” and counting the one missing, there would be only 435-11-1 = 423 total votes, and 212 votes (the number of Dems) COULD win.  But ain’t gonna be 11 Republicans let a Dem win.

  132. 132.

    Baud

    @Betty Cracker: At least they’re trashing Republicans.

    And to be fair, this is all about the optics.  The GOP will elect a speaker eventually, and then everyone will move on from there.

  135. 135.

    Anonymous At Work

    Drinking game: for every failed vote, players take a 1 oz shot of near beer.  How many people think they’ll get smashed before we get a Speaker?

  136. 136.

    Sparkedcat

    The House needs a showgirl to parade around the chamber carrying a large poster over her head  announcing the upcoming round.

  137. 137.

    Scout211

    On CNN: Hahahaha!

    A GOP lawmaker who is supporting House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy says members are already hearing from Republican donors and constituents who think the party “looks stupid” for not being able to elect a speaker.

  138. 138.

    Taphozous

    At this point the question is how badly does McCarthy want this and how much is he willing to debase himself?

    Maybe he will promise that Boebert, Gaetz, et al can give him noogies on the House floor.

    Can he make himself look too foolish and stupid for the House GOP?

  140. 140.

    Qrop Non Sequitur

    @Sparkedcat: The House needs a showgirl to parade around the chamber carrying a large poster over her head  announcing the upcoming round.

    The Republican caucus will likely have a much easier time choosing one of their number for this role.

  143. 143.

    lowtechcyclist

    Looks like the second ballot was Jeffries 212, McCarthy 203, Jordan 19.

    C-SPAN’s counter had 213 for Jeffries, except that would have totaled 435 overall, and McEachin is still dead.

  145. 145.

    cain

    @Scout211: lolololl – they are going to be looking stupid a lot in the next two years.

    If anything, the House might be where the press is going to go because so much click bait shit to do there. GOP are the only kind of people who like to bathe in a cesspool.

  147. 147.

    MattF

    So… if the House never gets organized, the debt limit will never be raised and the Federal government goes into default. Which is exactly what the radicals have been trying to force.

  148. 148.

    Geminid

    @Baud: It’s a bad for the Republicans though. Democrats will be unified and in full stride. Republicans will start out limping and fractured. And they’ll have George Santos, for a while at least, twisting slowly in the wind like a dead albatross.

  151. 151.

    Anyway

    Guess I am a normie. Much as I relish the Rethugs in Disarray narrative, I just can’t be bothered to follow the ins-and-outs of this inside-baseball speaker vote…

  153. 153.

    Baud

    @Geminid: Yeah, the Dems should hold a press conference this evening explaining that they would have passed bills protecting voting rights and abortion freedoms on Day 1 if they were still in charge, along with having a Speaker in place.

  154. 154.

    karen marie

    @Sister Golden Bear: While I was at the grocery store on Saturday having a clerk help me find sambal oelek (which they didn’t have – boo!), two people stopped him to ask where the popcorn was.  I laughed and laughed.

  157. 157.

    Redshift

    @Baud:

    And to be fair, this is all about the optics. The GOP will elect a speaker eventually, and then everyone will move on from there.

    I’ll be kind of fascinated to see how, though. With normal politicians, there are deals to be cut and pressure to be applied, but in the Party of Trolls, the no side doesn’t appear to want anything, they just don’t like Kev because he’s not one of them and had moments of being insufficiently obsequious to Dear Leader. And anyone they do like, nobody else does. And since they were elected as trolls, the people who voted for them don’t expect any accomplishments, so they can’t be pressured over things like committee assignments.

  160. 160.

    Qrop Non Sequitur

    @bbleh: Santos voted when McEachin’s name was called

    Is that real? I don’t even know if I want it to be real or not.

  162. 162.

    Leto

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    (NSFHumanity Warning: picture of Lauren Bobert) A Mexican restaurant will replace Rep. Lauren Boebert’s former gun-themed restaurant

    In July, Shooters Grill closed its doors for good after the landlord did not renew its lease, according to a tweet from Boebert. The New York Times also noted that the landlord also booted the congresswoman’s campaign office which was located next door to the location.

    Boebert said in her tweet that “this decision was his to make and was purely a business decision with no political motivation.”

    Boebert’s office did not respond to Insider’s request for comment.

    Now that Boebert’s restaurant has shuttered, it appears that its location is going to be filled by a Mexican restaurant, Tapatios Family Mexican Restaurant, which now has emblazoned its “coming soon” sign on the premises’ front window.

  163. 163.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @MattF: Not going to happen. More likely, the Dems promise to walk away or vote present at some point in return for commitments on debt ceiling, etc.

  166. 166.

    Roger Moore

    @Anonymous At Work:

    Drinking game: for every failed vote, players take a 1 oz shot of near beer. How many people think they’ll get smashed before we get a Speaker?

    Won’t work.  The votes take so long your body can metabolize the alcohol before the next shot.  At the rate the votes take, you could take shots of tequila, and you still wouldn’t get drunk.

  168. 168.

    Another Scott

    LOLGOP:

    L O L G O P
    @[email protected]
    Seems like where we’re headed. I’m thinking: If Dems do anything to help McCarthy win, it better be in exchange for serious wins — raising the debt limit, DREAMers. You know, things that would cost McCarthy his job.

    RT @[email protected]

    For most of the last 15 years, D votes have helped insulate the R speaker of the Texas House against right-wing challengers. It has become a normal state of affairs in the largest Republican state.

    Eyes on the prizes, but I have absolutely no confidence that an agreement like that would work. Manchin is still probably fuming that his genius, pound of flesh, energy permitting changes as part of the infrastructure bill, still have not passed.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  170. 170.

    Matt McIrvin

    @Baud: That sounds like the parliamentary “shadow cabinet” tactic. It’d be an interesting thing to adapt though our government structure means it would have to be a bit different.

  172. 172.

    ETtheLibrarian

    I am going to assume McCarthy has little pride given how he has tried to be Speaker, but at some point does even he acknowledge he doesn’t have the votes?

  175. 175.

    Leto

    Hallie Jackson is a deeply stupid person: asking the onsite reporter if Dems will eventually get tired of this, ask the moderate Dems to work with the moderate Rethuglicans (JFC) to find a “surprise candidate”. Yes Hallie, only Dems have agency to fix the Rethuglican party.

  177. 177.

    artem1s

    @Omnes Omnibus: ​
     

    More likely, the Dems promise to walk away or vote present at some point in return for commitments on debt ceiling, etc.

    I don’t see that happening. How could Jeffries possibly trust any of these scorpions? they will lie and then pull away the football and then the Dems really will look weak.
    There should be only one answer if they come begging Nothing, my offer is nothing.

  179. 179.

    Qrop Non Sequitur

    @Leto: Yes Hallie, only Dems have agency to fix the Rethuglican party.

    That’s the standard position of inter-party relations anyway.

    Still, if the Dems are able to capitalize one this in some way, I’ll be so proud.

    Eta: Eliminate the debt ceiling, for example

  180. 180.

    Delk

    If McCarthy wins he should bang the gavel and immediately resign his seat. Let the children have their playpen.

  181. 181.

    WaterGirl

    @Omnes Omnibus: I know, it is almost too good to be real.  But it is!

    That helps ease the pain of not getting the mexican restaurants on every corner, like we were promised.  At least it helps a little bit.

    edit: oh, I misremembered. It was taco trucks, not mexican restaurants. sigh.

  182. 182.

    MobiusKlein

    @artem1s: ​
     

    I assume if any Dems start negotiating with R’s to break the deadlock, it will be with leadership’s blessing.

  183. 183.

    Barbara

    @Baud: SATSQ: No.  There is no way Dems should or could ever trust McCarthy on any issue that is important enough to them to actually compromise and let him assume the speakership.

  184. 184.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Roger Moore:

    The votes take so long your body can metabolize the alcohol before the next shot.  At the rate the votes take, you could take shots of tequila, and you still wouldn’t get drunk.

    Tru dat! But I’m still enjoying this slo-mo train wreck, even sans alcohol.

  185. 185.

    Bill Arnold

    @Sister Golden Bear:

    Siri, order all the popcorn!

    If you do that with a no-limit credit card, you should hope that somebody else will make the same wish in a second or less. :-) That’s like 400 kilotons of popcorn, assuming 1 years US production.

  186. 186.

    PAM Dirac

    @MattF:

    So… if the House never gets organized, the debt limit will never be raised and the Federal government goes into default. Which is exactly what the radicals have been trying to force.

     

    Except that doesn’t happen until summer. I think it is entirely reasonable to let them sweat for a month or two if that’s what it takes. The only deal the Ds should take is something that can reasonably be guaranteed to be stable enough to do a decent job of governing*. There is absolutely no reason to panic into bailing the Rs out today or even in the near future.

     

    ETA * I’m not sure such a thing is possible

  188. 188.

    Betty Cracker

    So round three coming up. Will Jordan give the nominating speech again, or will it be passed on to another slabhead? Might as well put clown-ass MTG up there.

  189. 189.

    ...now I try to be amused

    @Redshift:

    By the end of the day, Santos will be claiming he is McEachin…

    That strikes me as a rational move. McEachin isn’t wanted in Brazil.

  190. 190.

    Roger Moore

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:

    McCarthy is a liar. They’d have to have any promise secured in some irrevocable way

    I agree it wouldn’t work, but not for that reason.  If they somehow came to that kind of deal and McCarthy reneged, his position would be completely untenable.  The Democrats would just need to let his right wing opposition that they wouldn’t support him anymore, and he would be toppled immediately.

  192. 192.

    clay

    The thing is, this was what was obviously going to happen ever since the Republican squeaked out a majority last November.  Kevin had two months to prepare, but he still wasn’t able to avoid this failure.

    I love it.

  193. 193.

    WaterGirl

    @Taphozous:

    At this point the question is how badly does McCarthy want this and how much is he willing to debase himself?

    Sorry, that ship has already sailed.  Anything for his precious.

  194. 194.

    Kent

    @Tony Jay:The Democrats should go through the GOP caucus alphabetically, throwing all 212 of their votes behind each Gopite in turn. Before you know it they’ll get close to Boebert and the stench of dawning horror will start to waft across Congress like the finest tear-gas.

    Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.  (Napoleon Bonaparte)

  195. 195.

    Geminid

    @Baud: I think the Democrats are not going to help the Republicans out here. They cannot get any reliable guarantees in return for helping McCarthy or another candidate win. They’re better off letting Republicans have all the blame for now.

    They’ll have to fight the debt ceiling fight this summer, but the opposition will not be any tougher then, and might even be more demoralized.

  197. 197.

    bbleh

    Meanwhile, as McCarthy loses, the market climbs.  Coincidence?  It’s irresponsible not to speculate.

  198. 198.

    Kent

    @MobiusKlein:I assume if any Dems start negotiating with R’s to break the deadlock, it will be with leadership’s blessing.

    They won’t.  They have already said as much and it would be insane to do so.  The House Dems have zero interest in helping the GOP govern more effectively.

  200. 200.

    Ken

    @Scout211: hearing from Republican donors and constituents who think the party “looks stupid” for not being able to elect a speaker.

    Oh, that’s what did it? They were OK with the antics of the past two six twenty-two years?

    (Didn’t we just have this conversation, except about Hope Hicks and Trump?)

  201. 201.

    Qrop Non Sequitur

    @Ken: Oh, that’s what did it? They were OK with the antics of the past two six twenty-two years?

    Keep going. 40 for sure. 50? Maybe.

  202. 202.

    Leto

    @Kent: Dems are letting the American public preview Rethuglican “leadership”. This is the next two years of their stewardship.

  205. 205.

    Bill Arnold

    @Baud:

    They have to find a way.

    They could seek the votes of Democrats, and form an impromptu coalition in the House of Representatives. Then the fun begins, with individual legally toxic Rs (and maybe Ds; uncharted territory) being picked off.
    Even in the case where the Republicans cannot manage to form a voting majority, I’d expect this to happen spontaneously (e.g. a temporary coalition) before the US is allowed to default on its debt.

  206. 206.

    Kent

    @Leto:@Kent: Dems are letting the American public preview Rethuglican “leadership”. This is the next two years of their stewardship.

    Why help them get organized faster when all they are going to do when organized is scream about Hunter Biden’s laptop and whatever is the latest new made-up scandal.

  209. 209.

    Tony Jay

    “While this Republican majority brings a rustic democracy back to the People’s Chamber, can they also teach Joe Biden the art of compromise?”

    Tomorrow’s NYT Pitchbot Today

  210. 210.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Barbara: McCarthy would actually firm up a lot of supports with Rs if he made a public deal with Dems that would let him become Speaker and then just completely and publicly told them “I lied and fuck you” after he got the office.

    It might even be the smart play for him.

  212. 212.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Roger Moore: Nah. I think McCarthy publicly reneging on a deal with Dems would gain him a ton of R support.

    Pwning the libs is the most important thing.

  213. 213.

    Geminid

    I think that there also will be another important vote, on a set of House Rules. That one could be contested also.

    A key question will be whether “petitions of discharge” will be allowed that would make it possible to, if a simple majority signs, put legislation on the floor. Purple district Republicans may want to defect and vote to allow petitions of discharge.

  214. 214.

    Ken

    @MattF: I’ve sometimes wondered what Article II Section 3 might be used for:

    [The President] may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them

    “Guys? We’re about to default. That’s pretty extraordinary. You’re not going on vacation until you fix that.”

  215. 215.

    Captain C

    @artem1s: Are there five Republicans from Biden-voting districts who might be persuaded to form an Independent Caucus that promises to vote for Dems (at least on big things like budgets, debt ceilings and suchlike)?  Kind of like the opposite of the crap we had in NY State under most of Cuomo’s governorship.

    ETA:  Not that this is a great idea, but it’s better than a 2-year total shitshow with no Speaker.  Probably.

  216. 216.

    Mallard Filmore

    @Betty Cracker:

    my husband is watching CNN, and they are absolutely trashing Republicans on the optics of this shit-show,

    Whatever happened to CNN’s plan to turn right and become a FOX Light? None of the video clips that show up in YouTube’s suggestions have put me into a freaking rage. And you are saying here that CNN is not attempting to put a positive, or even neutral, spin on this

    —

    #216!  Let me check.  Boogers, this thread is dead.

  218. 218.

    Tony Jay

    @Kent:

    “When your enemy makes a mistake, obliterate them with massed artillery, then let Ney be Ney.”

    Also Napoleon Bonaparte (probably)

  219. 219.

    Ken

    @Delk: If McCarthy wins he should bang the gavel and immediately resign his seat.

    But then he has to move his stuff back out of the Speaker’s office.  Though I guess it won’t be so embarrassing if it’s his choice.

  221. 221.

    Kent

    @Captain C:

    @artem1s: Are there five Republicans from Biden-voting districts who might be persuaded to form an Independent Caucus that promises to vote for Dems (at least on big things like budgets, debt ceilings and suchlike)?  Kind of like the opposite of the crap we had in NY State under most of Cuomo’s governorship.

    ETA:  Not that this is a great idea, but it’s better than a 2-year total shitshow with no Speaker.  Probably.

    Never going to happen unless they actually switched parties and became Democrats.  Remember, George Santos is one of the people you are talking about here.

  222. 222.

    artem1s

    @Captain C: Are there five Republicans from Biden-voting districts who might be persuaded to form an Independent Caucus that promises to vote for Dems

    name them. and show me proof that they have made similar deals and been trustworthy in the past. offering to let us ‘live’ in ‘their’ country doesn’t count.

  224. 224.

    artem1s

    Scalise thinks R’s are there to get things done! LOL!​
     
    Obviously ‘getting things done’ means spending 3 hours not electing a speaker so they can spend more time trash talking POTUS who isn’t on the ballot to be speaker.

  225. 225.

    Miss Bianca

    @Tony Jay: It’s a good thing I am alone in this office so no one hears me cackling like a loon and croaking out “Boom Boom Boebert”!

  227. 227.

    Qrop Non Sequitur

    @artem1s: Scalise thinks R’s are there to get things done! LOL!​

    If they get one thing done this session, it will be adjournment.

  229. 229.

    Miss Bianca

    @Tony Jay: at this point, your guess is as good as mine! I’m just so thankful that my county got redistricted away from CO-3 so she’s no longer my “representative”.

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