Someone is watching the race for Speaker very closely.

[kentuck]

Tom Emmer, a Congressman from Minnesota and the Majority Whip for the Republicans in the House, has thrown his hat into the ring to be the new Speaker. He may be the new front-runner.

There is only one problem with him.

Donald Trump has already expressed his opposition to Emmer. Why?

Emmer voted to certify Joe Biden as President.

The lines are drawn in the House.

It almost appears that the Republicans do not want a new Speaker? They are OK if the government shuts down.

[COL Mustard]

1. When the lunatics run the asylum....

Expect craziness to follow.

I mean no offense to anyone with mental health issues, but most Republicans now are batshit crazy.

[Ford_Prefect]

47. The MAGA crew were hired to be in Congress specifically because they are. Most of the GOP elected in this Century were recruited

to their positions through a process of selecting them for their loyalty to the party and their unswerving desire for personal power.

[thatcrowwoman]

57. True that, Ford_Prefect.

Thank you for your brilliant signature line. It makes my heart hopeful.
🕊thatcrowwoman

[Chi67]

51. Exactly

They let their party be taken over by the extreme right. And now we are all paying for it.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

2. Democrats running for office need to hammer home this message in their campaign ads...

"Those of you represented by a Republican in the House of Representatives are being DAMAGED by their childish inaction. They do not care whether or not you have Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food , housing, or heating assistance. Whether or not you have a job that pays you well enough to afford the basics in life. THEY serve their rich donors, NOT YOU!"

As good a message this is, I wonder if many will listen and think for themselves.

[dalton99a]

3. The GOP has allowed itself to be owned and controlled by a traitor.

[AZ8theist]

25. SPOT ON!!

[Ford_Prefect]

48. They are willing participants who wanted this kind of power play. They were never interested in anything else, like serving the nationor

their own constituents.

[BigOleDummy]

4. I'm thinking more and more...

... that the gop really DOESN'T want a speaker tbh. Look at what they get in the chaos , no aid for Ukraine, no aid for Israel, no funding for domestic programs they dislike. I mean.... they seem to be totally fine with that asshat down in Alabama knee capping our military, knee capping the Congress is just another step.

[Chainfire]

7. Like the old Seinfeld episode, they are the party of nothing.

If they didn't have hate, fear and chaos, they would be an empty bag.

[azureblue]

16. can Hakeem be voted in?

The Dems have the majority vote, and have had, every round.

[Tree Lady]

18. It goes by the total number of republicans

in the chamber no matter who they vote for. But if say 10 republicans stayed home we could all vote for him and win.

[Zambero]

26. They would likely prevent a vote under those circumstances

But, who knows??

[Dave says]

37. A majority of all congressmen is needed

Technically speaking. To win, one must have the majority vote based on the total present, both Democrats and Repubs, when the vote is taken.

[crickets]

45. Republicans don't have to stay home or vote against another Republican.

They could vote 'present' and let the numbers fall where they may.

If enough did this, Hakeem would be speaker without needing their votes. None of them will have the nerve to do it, though.

EDIT: Actually, I'm wrong here. Whoever wins needs 217 votes. Dang.

[aggiesal]

50. Or if 10 (R)'s say present, the same can happen. n/t

[kentuck]

21. I don't think that will ever happen...

...so long as the Republicans are in the working majority. Just my opinion.

[IbogaProject]

32. Two issues

One; 217 or so is majority, not the most votes like normal elections, this is a 'need over 50% of votes cast'. Two; there are no crossovers so far, and Rep Jefferys has made requirements to be part of any cross aisle deal. It's worse for us to have the speaker w/o the votes to do anything, it would enable is getting the blame. They'll blame us anyways, but this is a prelude to an extended shutdown, economic crash and chaos.

[LiberalFighter]

46. Majority is fifty percent plus one in the chamber.

If it was plurality Jeffries would have won on the first ballot.

[Irish_Dem]

58. Yes, the GOP doesn't want a functioning federal government.

It is their goal to burn it all down and let the states call all the shots.

And yes they are deliberately shutting down funding for the programs they don't like.

Putin is thrilled.

[NoMoreRepugs]

5. Somehow IF the government shuts down it will be JoeB's fault.

[JoseBalow]

42. Thanks, Obama

[Walleye]

6. Emmer is in favor of supporting Ukraine aid

Pootie told Donald not to support him

[magicarpet]

8. It seems their ultimate goal is to shut the government down.

If they leave the Speaker's chair vacant and squabble endlessly about picking a new Speaker until mid- November the government shutdown they so covet will happen by osmosis.

With no Speaker there will be no budget passed and there will be a government shutdown.

Their only remaining task is to somehow pin the DemocRAT Party with the total blame that the reason the Speaker's chair could not be filled, the budget could not be voted on, and the government shutdown happened - was because the nasty DemocRAT Party categorically refused to lift a finger to help elect the next Speaker of the House so Congress could do the "People's Business of Governence".

We only have the DemocRAT Party to blame for this dysfunctional government - they are totally to blame for the fact our government does not, can not, and will not work.

■○■○■○■○

[It has nothing what so ever to do with the fact that the AmeriKKKan Retrumplican't Fascist Party is totally incompetent, pathetically dysfunctional, and in an absolute state of disarray. The ReThugs lack the intellectual timber to run our government efficiently and effectively. They are more like sophmoric frat-boys and juvenile delinquent play ground bullies than thoughtful members of the People's Congress. This is why when they are placed in charge - our government inevitably becomes a baboon like fucking shit flinging show but little to nothing of substance ever gets accomplished. This is done by intention and design - "See,.. the Government is Broken" - Only we (The GOPee) Can Fix It."]

[kentuck]

9. Should the Democrats get behind Emmer if he gets enough Republican votes?

Which he will probably do.

It might be the best result they can get from this fiasco? We do not wish to see the government shut down.

Say, for example, that Emmer gets 22 votes for Speaker? Could the Democrats supply the 195 votes to make him Speaker?

It could be worse.

[Johnny2X2X]

12. Reps would stop the vote

But if he gets 200, and Dems sneak in 20 that could work.

[kentuck]

13. It would be ideal if they could supply more than half the votes needed...

It would be a true, bi-partisan, working coalition.

The government would stay open. Israel and Ukraine would get the aid they need. And the insurrectionists would no longer be in control of the House.

Not a bad deal, in my opinion.

[Mz Pip]

15. I like this idea

Bi partisanship in action. Would really piss off Gaetz and his merry band of insurrectionist assholes.

Like it or not, we are in the minority. Like it or not it, we’re going to have to work with Republicans if we want to thwart the antics of the obstructionists. Might as well pick someone who at least acknowledges Biden won.

[kentuck]

19. I agree. Democrats could pull a surprise attack.

Once Emmer hits 12 votes or more, Democrats should start voting for him. He would get the 217 votes needed and the obstructionist plan, whatever it might be, would be thwarted.

[azureblue]

17. no

even if a deal was made, he can't be trusted to keep his word and deliver. Remember, he is a Republican and Repubs lie. There was a deal made back in May, and Kevin reneged.
The only deal is to put Hakeem in as speaker.

[kentuck]

20. And what is the alternative??

I think there are many Republicans who would like to take their Party back and this would be one way to do it.

[agingdem]

40. take their party back and govern?...they haven't governed

since they took the House in 2022...remember MAGA imbeciles never promised to govern..they promised revenge, retribution, and never ending "smoking gun" investigations...Kevin, in his humiliating quest for the speaker's gavel, cut off his balls to appease the ridiculously named Freedom Caucus..15 soul crushing ballots later, he moved into the speaker's office...that was 9 months ago, and apart from caving on the debt ceiling and delaying a government shut down, how/when exactly has the majority actually governed??...

Jordan and Comer have paraded Biden aggrieved bogus witnesses before their committees, Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced Hunter Biden dick pics into the congressional record, and the so-called Biden impeachment hearing gave our guys the opportunity to shit-shame the MAGA clowns and their" experts"...

and now the Republicans are lamenting they can't govern without a speaker...why when they can't govern with a speaker???...

[CrispyQ]

22. +1

At least the guy acknowledges Biden as a legitimate president maybe that's the best we can get with this group of GOP losers.

[AllaN01Bear]

10. thats the whole idear , no? continuation of 1/6/ .

[liberal N proud]

11. republicans are very comfortable with closing down the government

It will literally destroy the economy and voters will blame Biden with a little help of propaganda.

Additionally they will be able to attack and likely succeed in dismantling programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

The republicans have a burn it to the ground attitude

[AkFemDem]

34. I think they overplayed their hand

The Republican Party In Disarray is the quote and meme of the year. Every conservative I know personally has voiced annoyance over "can't they get their act together". If there is a shut down- I think a majority of independents will blame the party in disarray.

[DFW]

14. Whoever the next Speaker is, IF it is a Republican House member

I'll bet it will be someone we never heard of six weeks ago, except for people living in or near their district.

Either that, or they'll really go outside the box and nominate some off-the-wall non-House-member, like Sean Hannity, Dick Cheney, Chuck Norris or Charles Koch.

[bucolic_frolic]

23. Exactly right.

This is all a decades long crusade to weaken the US government in favor of corporations and pollution. I recall hearing on NY radio about 20 years ago some important person opining that the US was going to have to accept higher levels of pollution. Unfettered pollution is worth trillions to properly placed people. In some ways Trump was just the chosen front man?

[bobby202]

52. Donny is a Russian stooge !

Eric Trump---- " We have all Russian money we need " ! Just keep that in the memory banks ! hope pretty soon he won't be able to afford jet fuel !

[Captain Zero]

24. So if Emmer got close, the Dems

Could put him over.

And stick it to the 🐴's ass.

[moniss]

27. The Orange Ruski

is desperately holding on to the idea of getting someone in as speaker who will demand an end to funding for the Federal cases in exchange for not shutting down the government and keeping it closed. I don't know whether it's possible to preempt such a move by administratively allocating a large chuck of money to Jack Smith from DOJ etc. using reallocation now before any shutdown negotiations.

[Bev54]

28. He will only get in if the dems can make a deal with him.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

29. Trump World Warns House GOP Against Emmer for Majority Leader

TFG is going to try to block Emmer because Emmer voted to confirm President Biden's electoral votes on Jan. 6

Link to tweet

https://time.com/6320599/trump-house-republicans-tom-emmer/

Republican Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota wants to be the next House Majority Leader, but he’s already facing a formidable obstacle: the wrath of Trump World.

Shortly after Emmer announced on Wednesday that he was running for the leadership position, a group of Trump’s Congressional and media allies began plotting to derail his candidacy, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The role is one of several leadership slots that may soon open up amid the fallout from the House removing California Republican Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. The current majority leader, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, is a leading contender to replace McCarthy.

[Arazi]

30. I think it hinges on whether the new Speaker is an election denier

Besides not funding Ukraine, I see it even more ominously - they want an election denier in that office.

#Traitor and associates want someone who won’t certify Joe Biden‘s win in 2024.

I think that’s been Matt Gaetz’ strategy all along. It also explains the extreme measures taken to threaten anti-Jordan voters with violence and death threats. It was an early test for who would cave and who would hold firm

[Cosmocat]

54. Correct

Nm

[hadEnuf]

31. The next attempted coup of government will a total inside job

The useful idiots will just be available for back up.

[Pluvious]

33. There's another hidden segment of Democrats not adverse to Emmer...

Crypto enthusiasts, and those who consider the SEC corrupted by the Wall Street “Banksters”

[DJ Porkchop]

35. Ugh

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/12/17/despite-electoral-college-vote-emmer-refused-to-accept-biden-as-presidentelect

[kentuck]

36. I don't think he is an "election denier" ??

He voted to certify Joe Biden as President.

Also, Trump would not be against him if he were an "election denier".

[DJ Porkchop]

38. He was right after the election

Click the link below the Bowers tweet.

[kentuck]

39. I think that was the Electoral College vote of December 14th?

I think he voted to certify after January 6th happened?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

41. Hey Donny

[Roc2020]

43. While the world burns, the GOP have nailed themselves

in a corner. With the hatred and divisive GOP civil war getting worse, I'm now not sure they can fix this themselves. JustWow.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

44. Pretty sure Jeffries is open to votes for Emmer.

He presented a list of qualifications. Certifying 2020 election results being a big one.

It would be interesting to see if he can be the nominee in a secret ballot. Then Dems with 8 Repubs carry him across the finish line.

[Maru Kitteh]

49. That is a fascinating prospect. Dems uniting to screw over Gaetz & Byron Donalds, it's

certainly got a kind of appeal. Yes it does.

[Cosmocat]

55. If a scenario occurred

Where Ds were the margin to get the Speaker elected the really hard core MAGAs will lose their minds.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

56. and for that reason about I think they'll unite.United..

... in conference behind closed doors and over 100 will vote for having a speaker in order to further alienate the chaos caucus.

[Chi67]

53. We all

need to understand this was the plan all along. The GQP hates democracy, full stop. They want authoritarianism. We need to stop pretending that the GQP is interested in solving this issue and realize they want all guardrails to protect our country's way of life done away with. And the first thing they want is the 217 rule done away with.

This is not a fluke. Trust me when I say this- they want these rules obliterated. They will use the excuse that they can't get enough votes to elect a speaker and the rules should go away. Trust me, it's coming.