>

The extreme GOP (even more extreme than most of them) of 19 people (20 on the 3rd vote) are refusing to vote for McCarthy.
Basically all they want to do is have show trials, impeach Biden at every turn, own the Libs etc. they have no interest in governing.
McCarthy knows that if they want to win in 2024, they need to actually look like they are doing good things, particularly to independents or moderate democrats. But if he lets those 19 have free reign, he’ll lose those voters. So now 19/20 are blackmailing him/threatening to torpedo him to try to force him to give in to their demands.
Important to add too, some of those extreme GOP wanted a way to remove the speaker (to try to trap Kevin if he wins to do what they say) in order to get their vote. Additionally, if Kevin does win, it would only take a few (5?) people to torpedo any republican legislation. So those 19 know they hold immense power.
Poor Kev didn't think those leopards would eat HIS face. >

The tyrannical minority experiences tyranny of the minority. >

The irony is great. I am curious why the dems haven't reached out to the more reasonable republicans to nominate one of them. The chance to stop the MAGA and crazy legislative slate is pretty much there for the taking. >


reasonable republicans

Lol, there are none, that's why >

Liz Cheney did lose her primary after all
Also 🤮 that she was even in contention as the last reasonable Republican in the House >

The Speaker need not be a House member, so Cheney is still elligible. >

Wait.... Does this mean that Trump can become Speaker ....? >

He could, you could, I could.... it's litterally that loose on requirements. >

sigh I'll do it. >

Fuck it lets just have this guy do it >

Let's try the same thing again.  Hope it's 19 again. >

I want to see it go up or down by one or two votes each time, just to screw with him. >

Supposedly 25 republicans are actually against McCarthy and the plan is to increase the number of votes over time opposed to him to make it seem like opposition to him is growing. >

Wouldn't doubt it. Plus, blood is in the water, I'm not sure what Kev could offer that'd make and keep the sedition caucus happy. >

McCarthy can't offer anymore political favors. Now they are talking about removing Republicans from committees who vote against him. The problem with that is there are no committees until a Speaker is elected, so the holdouts  don't have anything to lose. >

I'm not even sure what they're trying to prove by doing this, McCarthy was going to give them everything they wanted.
Bogus investigations into Hunter Biden, Fauci, Afghanistan, THE BORDER... He'd have greenlit all of those and more.
Biden impeachment hearings, sign Kevin up.
Office of Congressional Ethics? What Office of Congressional Ethics?
I can't figure out what they're hoping to get out of Jim Jordan or whoever that they couldn't get out of Kevin. What's the angle? I must be missing something.
I mean, whatever, these are all shit people tearing into each for little to no reason. Let them fight. >

It's not about getting concessions.
It's about flexing to show that the whole GOP is at their whim. >

True but, man, this can't be getting them friends from anywhere outside the sedition caucus. All this does is make Republicans look like asses as they fail at getting the most basic of tasks done. I mean, whatever, hopefully people remember this crap the next election (spoilers: they won't) and think twice before giving the Republicans more authority. >

You're assuming that they care about being in the majority. They absolutely don't; in fact, being the minority party is great for them. They don't have to govern, take hard stands, or negotiate complicated legislation. All they have to do is whine and cry about what the adults are doing. 
They're in safe districts, and they're certainly not the first people whose employment philosophy is "I came here to make money, not friends." >


"I will always fight to put the American people first, not a few individuals who want something for themselves," McCarthy told reporters after a contentious conference-wide meeting at the US Capitol, adding: "I'm not going anywhere."

Both statements are up for debate. >

Not even up for debate, absolutely laughable >

The Stormfronter Mantra℠ style of shotgunning lies and b.s. to "flood the zone", that they've made sure is the only way they communicate, has turned even the most basic of statements a subject of scrutiny. I wouldn't trust one to tell me the time >

Bingo.  If their lips are moving, they're lying. >

“There’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump...swear to God!” 
Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) June 15, 2016
I just love to post that quote whenever there's a thread about McCarthy to remind everybody he knows Trump was and is horrible for the country but he didn't do anything about it and actively protected him. >

Average GOP voter knows deep down too. They just can't be grown ups and admit it.
Thankfully, that means we continue to watch their party fall apart year after year. That's nice. >

The Republican Party are putting the nails in the coffin, that party is dead and co-opted by the American fascist party >

The analogy I used is that they pushed the party off a rightward cliff on January 6, 2021.  It's been in a slow-motion free fall ever since.  The GQP is going to smash into the ground and fragment, it's just a question of when.  We're seeing the start of that process here.  IF Democrats can hold their shit together for the next three to five years or so, they will rule for a good long while. >

This will be good in the short term, but all that means is that the dollars that were used to corrupt both parties (at least the majority of members who are "centrists") will become focused on the Democratic party.    
In no time the "Democrats" will be having debates over cutting taxes for the rich, etc.   
Also remember that the "conservatives" own the Supreme Court for the next few decades potentially. >


This will be good in the short term, but all that means is that the dollars that were used to corrupt both parties (at least the majority of members who are "centrists") will become focused on the Democratic party.

Bears repeating and considering. Everything that happened to the Republican party can and will happen to the Democratic party too, unless and until serious reforms can be made in campaign finance law and electoral mechanics >

I think that the corruption and self-dealing-dealing, etc. has been the norm until racism and pandering to bigots entered the chat.
Democrats will not be a coherent party if they embrace misinformation and vilification of “out” groups. >

And he just lost a third time >

Surely he can just call another vote right away and it'll go through this time! >

They have no choice. They can’t do anything else until a speaker is elected. >

float a democrat for funsies and let's see what happens. some of them republicans are bound to want to go home. >

Both sides get to vote for the house speaker. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democrat minority leader, had 212 votes last I heard. 218 votes are needed to elect a house speaker.
But don’t expect any republicans to actually switch sides to vote for a Democrat house leader. They would spin their wheels all the way to the next election cycle before that happened. >


They would spin their wheels all the way to the next election cycle before that happened.

This is acceptable. >

That would actually be pretty devastating for almost everything except judicial nominations.
But, knowing a GOP House, they’ll only pass things totally unable to pass the Senate. >

Fast Forward to end of June - The House of Congress continues to try to elect a Speaker. Gaetz has nominated Gym for the 300th time and has gained one vote to increase it to 17 in favor. Don't have to govern if they get stuck at the tutorial. What a way to start the year... >


BUT WHERE IS THE R3 KEY??!! 

— R’s >

I always have trouble with that lmaoooo >

Watching the GOP fight with itself is some delicious schadenfreude >

Honestly 4 years with Trump was terrible but if he makes it so the GOP never wins again and splits the party I don't mind the 4 years of harm he's done >

MAGA ain't going anywhere, for sure. 
Too many grifters happy to ride the MAGA train for fame and wealth without any serious inclination to be a politician.
I'm expecting we see either Trump or his kids/associates start running as third party MAGA candidate.
And tons of gullible republicans will happily vote for them to 'stick it to the government!!'.....
...the government that Republicans taught them to distrust and hate since the 60s. >

This. All of this. This is my wet dream. >

Mine too.  They know it, if they don’t, they’re dumber than they look.  This is why the republicans will ultimately push to have Trump and Associates indicted.  It will be a last resort, but a necessary one for the GOP. >

That's exactly why I now want the DOJ to hold their horses... I want them to build an absolutely airtight case against Trump and co but just waiiiiiiit until after the 2024 election to do anything with it, so as to let Trump completely ruin the GOP. Please please please DOJ! >

Why wait until after the 2024 election? Wouldn't you want it to happen beforehand to completely tank their chances? >

My thinking is that if he’s still free to run as an independent it would completely ruin the chances of the GOP/MAGA to get anywhere as he would split the GOP vote. If he’s already indicted / incapable to legally run in 2024, then he cannot split the vote. >

Republicans hitched their wagon to the crazy train and are now scared to see that they can't control it anymore. >

It was a lot easier when Pelosi and the Democrats were the collective enemy and the GOP had no responsibilities but to whine.
Now that they have power, it's crabs in a bucket. >

They sure seemed to have packed the Scotus with a bunch of drunken reprobates and misanthropes >

Hopefully all the alcohol consumption will lead them to early retirement >

it a shame those voting against him are siding with someone equally as bad. Gym Jordan. >

Arguably much worse. >

Yeah it’s my understanding that it’s the ultra-right Trump fan club bloc that’s blocking McCarthy. Makes sense that their pick would be worse. >

Party of I don’t want to govern is finding it hard to govern >

They could not govern even if they wanted to try >

But then they could accidently prove that government can be helpful to people and that's just straight up communism and we can't have any of that. >

But the US Military, a tax-funded, government run entity, is to be worshipped. >

Lol no, they only say they worship the military, no actions to back it up. >

I find the irony of the situation so delicious...
For many years now it has been the Republican strategy to bargain with Democrats in bad faith - they set goals to be met and agree that meeting them would be an acceptable compromise only to keep moving the target, making it impossible to hit. Even when the target is hit they refuse to vote for the compromise anyway, making months (or years) of negotiations a pointless waste of time.
Now Republicans are getting the same treatment from within their own conference. McCarthy believed he had made the necessary concessions to reach consensus - likely after a 'statement' vote rejecting him - only to discover that negotiating with terrorists is useless because they cannot be relied upon to honor any deal.
I've got popcorn and soda. This is the best entertainment I've had in years. >

They don't want to pass any legislation anyway, so the far right have a lot more to gain by grandstanding and power games than by any GOP cohesion.
Better to be on Trump's side in a non functional government than McCarthy's. >

Except that strategy will result in wholesale slaughter in 24.  If the Republicans bring "We can't even elect a speaker of the house." to the voters they are done. >

Don’t underestimate the intelligence of our voting populace. Some states said, “Hey, we had a shitty Democrat Governor, so let’s elect a guy who has lied about everything to punish the Democrats.” >

They are overestimating the intelligence of our voting population. Half the people I know vote primarily on gas prices.... Which the government has almost no control over. >

Looks like McCarthy loses again in ballot round 3 so onto round 4. >

So how exactly does this work? At what point to they determine that he just outright lost? Lol >

Ultimately the House sets the voting rules, so he can keeping on losing hundreds of times, if nobody wants to budge >

I would love it if he lost a hundred times in a row. >

I mean, he's part of the bunch of GOP House members who voted to repeal Obamacare like 60 times completely for the sham of it, so it would be fitting. >

The mid-terms are a gift that keeps on giving for Democrats.
If it wasn’t for Trump today would be a day of celebration for the GOP. Instead it’s a circus. >

Elect a clown, expect a circus >

Seems McCarthy was judged by what he has done as House minority leader. He hasn't done “anything” to earn the gavel position. >

That's not true.  He's gargled mounds of orange nuts.  He let MTG kick him in his jewels repeatedly. He's deaf in one ear from Gym "Loud Guy" Jordan yelling in it.  He hosted a Blue's Clue's marathon for three of Gaetz's dates.... >

It’s a sad day to have eyes. >

How do I delete someone else's post?
MY EYES! >

I'm trying to use your eyes to delete posts but its not working.  How is this supposed to work? >

hey dawg I heard you like minority rule >

underrated comment >

So… much…. Winning…. >

For Jefferies.  Three first place showings in a row! >

When will McCarthy be announcing that he refuses to accept the results because the election has been "rigged"? >

If that happens, this is when the shit pops off lmao >

Any way 6 moderate Republicans vote for Jeffries? >

If they existed, maybe >

They might exist. If they do, they won’t do so out of the goodness of their hearts, but to save their own hides. Among those who came very close to losing their seats are probably few who are capable of figuring out what’s good for them. >

They don't. The closest they have to a center right is Liz Cheney, as many others opted to retire instead of loosing their primary. This party is fucked. >

She’s not even center right politically. She’s way more conservative than almost any Republican. She’s just not insane and actually has reverence for the country. >

Agreed. The media props her up as some centrist because they need their narrative to be true, they need the GOP to be saved so they can continue to treat politics like sports. 
This is people's lives. >

The "no" list is an amalgam of certifiable idiots and lunatics. Very few on the right side of the aisle are sensible but that list shows the ones who are truly dangerous to our democracy. >

Don't forget traitors. That list has a large number of seditionists. >

Oh boy Kevin…what exactly are you getting when you win? Marjorie Taylor Greene on one side Lauren Boebert and Matt fucking Gaetz on the other. 
That would be a nightmare for even a skilled political operator—- which you certainly aren’t. Kev call your doctor and get your blood pressure checked. You’re going to want to get on top of that early. And while you’re there, request an anti-anxiety prescription…. >

Their own gerrymandering allowed these extremists to be elected. >

I have so much more respect for Nancy Pelosi after watching all this >


"I want you to watch Nancy Pelosi hand me that gavel. It will be hard not to hit her with it," 

Yeah, and it’s awesome to see him denied said gavel. >

Omg, that is a real quote.  
I hope she does hand him the gavel, then drop it for him to pickup so she can get away. >

She should just huck it across the chamber and let them scrabble for it like a bunch of Skeksis. >

I think they should do it like an Easter egg hunt. Nancy hides the gavel somewhere in the Capitol and whoever finds it first is the new Speaker. >

I honestly think they should earn it like a boy scout badge. Do x amount of tasks to earn x amount of badges to earn the right to be the speaker. >

But that would require integrity, which is in short supply in DC. >

We are getting a masterclass in just how bad the GOP is. 
This is like watching Argentina win the world cup and then argue about who should hold it first. While Matt Gaetz does jerk off moves in the background for the lulz. >

“Donalds said he joined his 19 colleagues on the third ballot because "it's clear that Kevin doesn't have the votes."”
You don’t have the votes, you don’t have have votes. You’re gonna need congressional approval and you don’t have the votes. >

Good Broadway reference, but I think Matilda is also apt here
"We are revolting children" >

Nancy Pelosi is laughing her ass off. >

“he doesn’t have the votes” >


"I'm the only Republican who has zero committees," [Marjorie Taylor Greene] said

yeah because you’re a fucking FASCIST >

I can’t believe this year makes 8 years since the trump circus began. When does it end >

Remember Palin? The circus started long before Trump. >

It started with the hanging chads. I still like to think what the world would be if Gore had won. >

Even if McCarthy wins, he'll be a joke. He'll have the title, but none of the personal authority that goes with it. He'll have to ask the craziest members of his caucus permission to do anything, because if not, they'll put a knife in his back.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. You ever see a puppy right after he's been neutered Kevin? Looking forlornly between his legs, knowing he's lost something that he never had a chance to enjoy? 
Welcome to your life Kevin. >

I really wonder why anybody wants to be a GOP house speaker anymore. Didn't they see what happened to Ryan and Boehner? >

Both of them had similar numbers of opponents at the time. But Republicans were elected in sufficient numbers to give them the speakership anyway. >

I was talking more about what happened after they got elected and how miserable they looked >

Get the popcorn y’all! >

That man is a national treasure. >

The GOP is dead, when you elect, "loons and whack jobs" into position of authority, they poison minds with idiotic rhetoric, all they want to do is revenge, not governance, this is cesspool politics millions vote for, McCarthy cant let these people win, if he does, he is a fool. >

Those 19 should just vote "Present" or abstain from voting.  That would really own the libs.
​
edit /s >

So why are these 19 Republicans voting against him? >

He's not extreme enough for them. They want 3+ Biden impeachments, endless hunter investigations, and then being on any committee they want. McCarthy knows doing those things will doom Republicans chances in 2024 and will try to limit the circus these 19 want. And so they're now blackmailing him and will probably eventually vote for him once he accepts their demands, but if at any time he reneges on those demands any 5 of those 19 can torpedo any republican bills for the next 2 years. >

I doubt there will be any serious Republican bills past anyway. They know they can't get anything crazy enough for them through the Senate and the President, so they'll just practice obstructionism as usual. >

The problem they have is that the freedom caucus crazies will block anything moderate that would pass the Senate while demanding their craziness be passed. And they don't need the Senate for impeachments, investigations, and committee positions. >

Freedom caucus crazies can't block moderate legislation, only the speaker can do that by refusing to put it up for a vote. Which has been the GOP playbook every time they have control. >

The Republicans have proven to the country that they are now the extreme right. The Republican Fascist Party has shown that they can't govern, they never pass bills, they don't care about the people who voted for them. All they do is to try and prevent the Dems from doing good things for the regular people of the country.  DO NOT VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS! >

Looks like he's losing again, already 8 against him. >

He sold his rotten soul for nothing >

He still came out ahead in that deal. >

This is the part where we throw our heads back and laugh >

I did just that when first saw the story in my google news feed. I grinned ear to ear. >

It'd be a lot cooler if it was the moderate Republicans holding out, but I'm ok with winning on a technical foul. A win's a win... >

This is exactly the dumpster fire I thought it would be. Say what you will about the Democrats, but at least they can stand united behind one candidate for speaker. Republicans talk about uniting the country, but they can't even find unity in their own party. >

He’s gonna cry on the ride home >

Lol he’s gonna stay in the car for a long time when he pulls in the driveway >

my favorite part is how KM losing the speakership time and time again lol >

Their party is a joke and their elected representatives are moronic asses. Sadly enough of their voters either don't care of haven't gotten the message. >

McCarthy: “I just need you to ‘find’ 15 votes.” >

While I have no sympathy for the positions taken by those 19 assholes, watching a sycophantic imbecile like Kevin McCarthy get repeatedly humiliated in his second go at speakership is amazing schadenfreude. >

It's at least at the third now, and he lost another vote, making 20 >

I was referring to the time when he had to step aside for Paul Ryan >

After having a brief moment of clarity following the attack on January 6, McCarthy quickly changed course and went down to Mar-a-Lago to strike a devil’s bargain with Trump.  
Trump’s response today to a question about whether he’s still sticking with his endorsement of McCarthy:  “We’ll see what happens.” >

Trump angrily calling the 19 defectors.... and going to voicemail.
The impotent rage is exquisite. >

The republicans are like a snake eating its own tail. Hopefully they’ll choke themselves out. >

When Hakeem Jeffries ends up winning the Speakership >

The chickens have come home to roost >

Couldn't happen to a better douchebag. >

McCarthy comes up short.
Hey, it must be voter fraud.
Right Repubs? >

see you all on the 4th vote loss thread. >

It would be so nice if this resulted in moderate Dems and moderate Republicans teaming up to elect a speaker who isn’t an ally of insurrectionists >

Jim Jordan can’t be speaker of the house b/c he only communicates through obnoxious shouting. They would have to rename the position Obnoxious Shouter of The House. Plus any legislation approved for a vote would only aim to clear hurdles decrepit old whit men face when while sexually assaulting teenage boys. >

Hilarious 🤣 >

When your second choice is “Gym” Jordan… 🫣 >

Anyone ever play Secret Hitler?
This feels like the phase of the game where, after three failed elections for prime minister, the next policy is drawn and automatically put into play; a 50/50 chance of it being a fascist policy. >

Sounds like voter fraud to me. We probably need cyber nijas to come in and look for bamboo. >

Why do people think Trump wants McCarthy to be Speaker? He probably wants one of the holdouts in the idiot caucus to get the gavel. >

Hakeem Jeffries garnered more votes on the first round than McCarthy did. >

I think trump is eventually going to start calling the anti Kevin McCarthy republicans in an attempt to save him. >

100%. That's why they voted to adjourn. They are hoping that Trump and Fox News tonight will name and shame the ones who voted against McCarthy and pressure them into voting for him in the next vote. >

And now make it 20 hardline Republicans voting against him. >

Stop the count! >

GOP can’t govern.  GOP won’t govern.  GOP too incompetent to govern.  GOP doesn’t understand governance.  It’s a bad idea to vote for the GOP, since they’re only good at chaos. >

To be clear, he is losing votes from people who don't think he is "MAGA" ENOUGH... They want someone who is MORE batshit crazy, and therefore representative of their views, than Kevin. >

Kevin is toast, and the toaster is still plugged in. >

Couldn't happen to a more amoral guy. Seeking power for the sake of having power. No spine, no sense of right or wrong. >

Don't worry Kevin. Just claim voter fraud and try to take the position without winning the vote. It's what Republicans do now a days right? Why should this be any different? >

A question for the parliamentarians out there, what kind of fresh hell would be unleashed if six Republicans chose to vote for Jeffries? >

The party of obstruction can’t help but obstruct >

And if, and that’s a big if, he eventually make speaker, there’s no way in hell anything gets passed. Not that Rs would hate that but 2 years and 0 bills is going to be hard to vote for in 2024x >

Wasn't Trump supposed to be made Speaker of the House? What happened to that plan? >

The demands of the job would interfere with his executive time and golfing. >

But he was the greatest working President in the history of working Presidents. Shirley he'd bring that same energy to the office of Speaker of the House >

gqp house going to spend the next two years voting for speaker of the house... >

The circular firing squad is great to watch >

“McCarthy lashed out at House Republicans who he said recently tried to do some arm-twisting of their own by demanding plum committee assignments and bigger budgets from him.”
Republicans demanding bigger budgets…. But only for themselves >

Not surprising to see the kids throw tantrums when they don't get what they want. That's why you should never join in their games or give them any serious power to play with. I'm with the Democrats today. got my popcorn and just watching the show. >

Hanging chads >

It’s not “hard line Republicans” that don’t support him; it’s the bat shit crazy caucus. You gotta worry when there are people crazier than Kevin McCarthy. >

GOP clown car on overdrive. on day fucking one. Schadenfreude .. >

these POS can't govern their own conferencen.... How can they govern the country?!?!?? And yet here we are. >

This does not bode well. Republican or not, we need a functional House to get basic shit done. >

A republican house is not voting on anything useful regardless of whether there is a speaker. It's dysfunctional either way.
However, without a speaker it at least provides some entertainment. >

The inmate are running the asylum. >

The Republican Party did it to themselves >

The question is do they have the guts to stick to their guns and NOT vote him in. If they cave this is a waste of time. >

Since when did we start referring to trumptrash Q idiots as “hard line Republicans?” >

Not funny at all. These ass wipes are being paid by taxpayers to not do their job. Go home! Get out of the capital if you are unwilling to do what we pay you for. >

The GOP keeps forgetting that political parties need to be able to govern, not just complain. After they finally pick a speaker, I’m sure they’ll move on to important issues like ranting about Hunter’s laptop >

Envision two years worth of investigations about a guy who as far as I know has never been in the White House since Biden was elected. >

I've read 2-3 articles and none seem to explain what's going on. 
What's the game that is being played here? Is there some rules concession that the conservatives are trying to extract? What are those concessions?