Bevin would be great for getting Andy reelected.

Harris flipped and looked like he just announced that his mom died.

Looks like Perry flipped to McCarthy on the 12th vote and did not vote on the 13th. I wonder if the plan is for enough people to drop out to make the majority lower?

Donalds also didn't vote.

That might be the play since for the first time, he's got more votes than Jeffries. And if there's some surprise, those 2 (or others) can come out of the shadows and vote when their names are called at the end.

If the Democrat party doesn't help Republicans to elect a Speaker, I'm going to become an even bigger libertarian.

— New York Times Pitchbot (@DougJBalloon) January 6, 2023

Watching Joe honoring the law enforcement, election workers.

He looks old but he reads (teleprompter) & speaks really well. I told the wife if my eyes were closed and I heard him speak, I’d think the speaker was younger than 80.

You go Joe, keep popping those omega-3 pills

Holy shit. This is the first time I’ve gotten appreciation for my research (outside of HoN).

Thanks!

I am looking forward to McCarthy meting out slow, sweet "justice" to Gaetz & Boebert.

And hoping MJT and Boebert continue their cat fight.

Reek has already had his balls cut off. He has no power to mete out justice.

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What's the last GOP led investigation that went anywhere though? Benghazi, Fast and Furious, her emails, Durham and many others were busts. 23 separate investigations into Obama's administration totaled 8,400 days and turned up jack shit. That doesn't mean I'm suggesting that all investigations into dems are pointless and need to stop, but I do think the GOP has to readjust their sights and go after real potential crimes rather than insignificant shit like Hunter Biden's laptop.

The gun charge he's accused of is never used. People using drugs shouldn't be buying fire arms. Imagine the number of times this law is broken, know that this charge is used about 100 times per year, and that tells you all you need to know if you're digging that far into someone to find a crime.

As I said at the beginning of this, if he committed a crime then put him in jail. I don't care. I just think the House getting involved is stupid and a waste of time and resources.

In an even more ridiculous " look at me" move. Bevin teased his announcement earlier in the day, told everyone he was going to speak at the Capitol, showed up, gave a speech, got in his van and left. All that for nothing. But I'll take it as a sign he knew he had no chance.

Interesting question. Had to look it up, see link for GOP led

10 of the best and worst congressional investigations of the last 100 years | WJLA

2014-2015 - VA Scandal. Led by Rep Jeff Miller
2005-2006 - Hurricane Katrina. Led by Rep Tom Davis
2001-2004 - 9/11. Led by Rep McCain and Dem Leiberman
1998-1999 - Clinton's Impeachment. Led by Rep Henry Hyde (chairman)

I had forgotten about Reek.

I guess he and his trials are still lurking deep in your subconscious. No thanks for sharing and reminding me.

Happened this morning. Just interesting but short on details. Article didn't share what was discussed etc. Also note Chip Roy below, he went McCarthy today (after the meeting).

My guess was the GOP old guard met with the Young Turks and asked them what it would take to get in line.

House members blocking McCarthy speaker bid meet at offices of ex-Trump chief Mark Meadows

I wouldn’t say “old guard” those guys are long gone from the R house by now. I would call this meeting with the real “secret cabal” meeting with a shadowy think tank Super PAC hmm they don’t even hide that they are all owned men.

I'd be in favor of having a non-operational House for two months if that's what it took to find a better Speaker.

We're just guaranteeing a crisis over the debt limit and a shutdown over the budget. Glad I'm not about to retire.

This really sums up the moment for me. As soon as all this is over with the R's they will never have ever uttered a bad word about the other ever.

McCarthy didn't do the math, again. Mike Rogers from Alabama almost hit Gaetz

Hahah. GOP getting everything it deserves. What a clusterfuck

Maybe Gaetz played him. Told him he'd vote yes and voted present instead.

This was pretty funny....

Why were you surprised when the snake bit you and you died? It's a fucking snake.

And now they want to adjourn until Monday. Great job working for the people GOP

Now voting to adjourn until Monday. What a cluster. They were supposed to vote on rules tonight so Kevin must have thought he had Gaetz.

He was so confident earlier today. If he couldn't get it now, McCarthy might be done.

If only Gaetz had been forced to resign by his colleagues for his you know, fucking underage girls. But that's cool for R's now, cause he votes right.

At any time McCarthy or someone else from the GOP could cut a deal with some Dems and move on, but they all prefer this madness.

I was looking for CSPAN and ran across Live PD.

Gaetz is getting McCarthy's underage nieces or something

Looks like McCarthy thinks he now has Gaetz's vote and they are going to try again.

Please do the Lucy football thing again, Gaetz.

Gaetz is such a drama queen.

The most sickening part is when (if) Gaetz votes yes, he's going to get some huge ovation like he's a big hero or something. What a fucking joke.

Is this the pic?

In fairness to McCarthy, it sounds like Gaetz grudge is over McCarthy not backing him when he was exposed for fucking minors.

So this going to be a win by extra present votes, I guess.

MTG posted a tweet of her handing a phone to Gaetz and it says: "It was a perfect phone call." And you should read the comments from MAGA. She's now a RINO they want to primary. Hilarious

Based on the AP summary of things, some good some bad from the horsetrading I suppose

I’m pissed my Congressman didn’t hold out for favors if everyone else was getting a fkn pony

So, the clock ticked off the vote to adjourn and the "yeas" had won by two votes. Then I woke up to get my pork butt started on the smoker, and somehow they had overturned that vote, and McCarthy is Speaker. Congress is crazy.

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I like the 72 hour rule, I like the try for term limits.

The 1 vote to oust speaker could get interesting, but willing to let it play out over the next 2 years. Arguably, it would force more bi-partisanship wheeling & dealing with the opposite side. When the Dems eventually win back the House, they can rollback, change etc. the compromises they don't like.

It's the other stuff that's going to be awful. Like letting Congressmen who are being investigated investigate their own investigations. Getting rid of or curtailing the ethics committee, because several of them ignored valid subpoenas and were referred. It's hard to take any of them seriously, even if I generally support a couple of the things mentioned above, when they just authorized a 24 hour a day sideshow into conspiracies and shutting down valid inquiries into their own behavior.

Can you explain to me how it will force more bi-partisansjip? Because my understanding on the affect of that rule is if the Speaker agrees to allow a vote with Democrats, one of the Freedom Caucus nut bags are going to demand the Speaker be ousted. It means only the only negotiations allowed is from the far right extremist to the moderate Republicans. It is the least bi-partisan rule that could possibly be put in place.

This post is in response to Brian & Miami_Fan's posts below.

I thought to bold and number the specific questions/statements that I am commenting on.


Specific to the question of congressional investigations as a whole per statement (1) I had already responded to Atocep's separate but related question in #6963. Basically, here's the list of key/big congressional investigations. There are some old ones but let's use the ones since 2000s.

10 of the best and worst congressional investigations of the last 100 years | WJLA

2014-2015 - VA Scandal. See The VA scandal of 2014, explained - Vox
2005-2006 - Hurricane Katrina. See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...109hrpt377.pdf
2001-2004 - 9/11. See 9/11 Commission - Wikipedia

Each have their findings & recommendations. Arguably, you may not agree with the findings and/or recommendations, and an argument can be made if they were implemented with the desired results. But they were made and recording lessons learn is always good.

For (2), that may work but when it reaches the level of congressional investigation, it's because the "issue" is too big/important for an agency; crosses multiple agencies; there is concern the agency won't do a good job; or there is political theatre. I'm going to generalize here. In my profession, I've worked with government & state agencies. I have little faith most can do a good introspection when they are they ones in the hot seat.

If you really meant having special counsel/prosecutors do these investigations instead of Congress, I'm all for it. But there is still a role for congressional investigations if something is too big (e.g. 9/11). Also, special counsels are appointed (or not) by the AG so there may be some bias there.

For (3) & (4), miami_fan is asking "so what".

A little detour so you know where I'm coming from ...


So specifically for the Jan 6 investigation - a "single source of truth" has been established and in the history books. It really doesn't matter there are still some deniers. The victors write the history books and unless MAGA takes over Congress and writes something that supersedes the Jan 6 report, these findings & recommendations are here to stay.

And yeah, this will be half-a-page or a full page in the high school American History books, and more in college Political Science books in 10 years. Movies will be made. With Jan 6 out there in books & society, hopefully the (majority of) younger generation will take their voting responsibilities seriously, future politicians will warn of parallels etc.

Jan 6 investigation also stands out as the key recommendations are somewhat toothless (e.g. recommending Trump to be barred). However, in my above list of 3 other congressional investigations, I don't think those recommendations were toothless.

I will also contend the Jan 6 did have an impact on the mid-terms. Maybe not directly but certainly in the psyche of independent voters. Also, it's impact is yet to be seen in 2024 if Trump stays in it.

I agree that Dems/GOP probably did not change that much. I am talking about Independents. And yes, admittedly those stats from my prior article are not immediately before/after midterms.

Here's another poll just before. PA, GA, AZ all battleground states.

Independents broke for Democrats by 4 points in midterms: AP survey | The Hill


Here's another article as a whole

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/yout...ry?id=92993573

I will continue to question the Monmouth poll and its definition of "Independent". If you have insights let me know. In my other post, I said below. I did not see an analysis/breakdown of Independents in the Monmouth poll?

Quote:

1) The Monmouth poll methodology section said self-reported demographics below. I don't know the question/phrasing they used, but 45% Independent automatically brings questions of its validity. 26% Republican 45% Independent 29% Democrat

We'll agree to disagree, especially when discussing Independents

This is how it would work.

(Note its not likely to be an immediate vote, there'll be time for backroom discussions)

McCarthy should want to make some friends with Dems who could give him some breathing room to offset a GOP revolt from Drama Queen Gaetz or Miss Universe Boebert. It gives him Dem votes if it comes down to a motion of vacate.

If he POs the entire Dem caucus, then he'll know he can't count on their votes. If he appears "reasonable" and willing to deal, I'd think the Dems would prefer him.

But yes, he can't get too cozy with the Dems. A 2-edge sword here for sure.

I don't buy at all that is how it will work.