Gingrich or Santorum as speaker? House conservatives plot mischief for the fall

[brooklynite]

Source: Washington Post

Several influential House conservatives are privately plotting ways to use the legislative calendar this fall to push their hard-line agenda — including quiet discussions about possibly mounting a leadership challenge to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan.

The group has gone so far as to float the idea of recruiting former House speaker Newt Gingrich or former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum as potential replacements for Ryan (R-Wis.) should there be a rebellion. The Constitution does not require that an elected member of the House serve as speaker.

While the chances that a non-House member could mount a credible threat to Ryan are exceedingly slim, the fact the group has even toyed with the idea underscores their desire to create trouble for GOP leaders if they believe their demands are not being addressed.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-or-santorum-as-speaker-house-conservatives-plot-mischief-for-the-fall/2017/09/07/8df6ab60-9316-11e7-aace-04b862b2b3f3_story.html

[hibbing]

1. Chuckle n/t

[procon]

2. The return of Gingrich?

Republicans love him, and his past ethics charges would be laughed off just like Trumps. He's very much stamped from the same mold as Trump.

[FakeNoose]

21. No no no!

Worst news ever!

[Warpy]

26. It seems to me the SOB would have to be elected to Congress in 2018

and I honestly don't see that happening. The GOP in there now is not going to go quietly.

Santorum, ditto, plus he'd have to carpetbag off to a new district. His name is mud in his old one.

[Dave Starsky]

31. Apparently, the Constitution allows for this.

Not that it matters. Republicans abandoned that hoary old document long ago. They're just making shit up as they go along now.

[sofa king]

32. You can bet Newt hasn't abandoned it, yet.

Any technicality that puts him two heartbeats away from the Presidency is A-OK with him.

[underpants]

3. The fact that Santorum is even in the conversation tells you everything you need to know about them

Santorum

[SergeStorms]

14. Really.

The biggest tool (figuratively, not literally) on the planet. I don't think most Republicans like the asshole, do they?

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Slick Rick is my guy

[lastlib]

24. putting him in as a candidate would certainly create a.......

frothy mix.................

[leftynyc]

5. Doesn't that mean the

speaker would not get a vote? They weren't elected, don't represent anyone so I would guess not being allowed a vote would follow. Anyone know?

[zipplewrath]

8. You're right

Technically, it wouldn't stop them. But it's about as likely as electing a Rabbi as Pope. Too many people who have to vote for them, want the job themselves. Never happen.

[PoliticAverse]

12. Of course the Speaker wouldn't get to vote on legislation if they weren't a member of Congress.

Note that by tradition the Speaker usually doesn't cast a vote on legislation anyway (it only matters of course
if their vote is needed to break a tie).

[leftynyc]

13. I didn't know that

about the speaker not regularly voting. I love days when I learn something.

[Historic NY]

6. Who's spreading the santorum, rumor?

[maxrandb]

11. It's spreading

Like a "frothy mix of anal secretions, semen and bile".

I think Srotorum is responsible for the rumors. He's always had delusions of adequacy.

[BigmanPigman]

7. This was mentioned on MSNBC last night

and it sounded pretty unrealistic but I guess you shouldn't put anything past the GOP bastards when they want something. Maybe GOP infighting will benefit Dems as well as the GOP being pissed at 45 for meeting and dealing with Schumer and Pelosi.

[They_Live]

9. "House conservatives plot mischief for the FAIL"

fixed.

[dembotoz]

10. speaker frothy....we could have fun with this

[SergeStorms]

15. Another GOP pipe-dream.

Never happen.

[Initech]

19. We said that about Trump for president.

Remember how well that worked out?

[TeamPooka]

16. and the response of every GOP member when they try to get them to vote for something:

"Sure, YOU don't have to vote for it!"

[not fooled]

17. It's the

Freedumb Caucus

in action. Pitching a hissy fit.

[Initech]

18. Conservatives think this is a joke. It isn't.

Please keep Gingrich out of Congress!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

20. Just a bunch of overgrown frat boys

[Sgent]

22. Is this serious?

I know its Rush's wet dream, but have they lost their fucking minds? I can't even see the freedom caucus agreeing on this, much less 218 house members.

Please house freedom caucus, go off the deep end and watch what happens... The D's will join the Tuesday Group and put one of them in as speaker.

[emulatorloo]

29. Freedumb Caucus + Steve Bannon are the brilliant minds behind this

What could possibly go wrong, lol

[NNadir]

23. As long as Nancy Pelosi is speaker in 2019, and President shortly after, I couldn't care less...

...what these psycho traitorous ass hats do.

[irisblue]

25. Isn't Gingrich going to Rome w/ his wife?

Callista, is up for the Ambassador to the Holy See. Which is all kinds of on its own. Be very surprising if she left that known adulterer behind in DC.

[brooklynite]

28. I'm sure he can find some companionship if they end up separated...

[irisblue]

30. . thx for that thought

[emulatorloo]

27. Good to hear President Bannon is guiding this effort