Earlier today, Jim Jordan lost the vote for Speaker by 25 votes, 5 more than yesterday. This came as no surprise, given that the Republicans in opposition had no intention of dropping that opposition, despite threats from Jordan supporters toward them and their families.
After the new defeat, which by the way was absolutely predictable, Republicans retired to their underground chamber to plot their next move. According to the Washington Post, they held a vote by secret ballot to remove Jordan as Speaker-designate. The outcome of that vote was 112 to 86 in favor of removing him.
So what's next? I think the Republicans in Biden districts should consider changing parties while they still have a chance to save their seats. I know this is a bold plan, but getting 5 or 6 of those so-called moderate Republicans to flip would at least guarantee Democrats could set an agenda and get legislation moved, which Republicans haven't done for months now. Yes, McCarthy did manage to get the debt ceiling bill and a continuing resolution through, but he paid for it with his speakership.
According to reports, Oklahoma Republican Kevin Hern has tossed his hat into the ring. Before he was elected to the House in 2018, Hern owned McDonald's franchises in Oklahoma. I'm just going to say that owning franchises and rising in the ranks of franchise owners is no substitute for the institutional knowledge of how the House works, how it works with the Senate, and how to negotiate getting stuff done.
We'll update this post with any further news as it happens.
UPDATE 1: Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer (Majority Whip) is exploring a possible run at it. Emmer is not an election denier and seems to be a pretty establishment type. See below for Kevin McCarthy's kiss of death. I'm pretty sure the gang of 8 thugs won't go along with Emmer, but you just never know.
UPDATE 2: So it turns out Emmer is as much of a wingnut as any of them. Here are some of the things I've learned since I wrote this: He didn't deny the election, but he did oppose the January 6 committee and more. Jamison Foser noted the following on Bluesky: "Tom Emmer's wikipedia page includes section headers for "Drunk driving," "Allegations of antisemitism," "'Fire Pelosi' machine gun video," and "Bullying." He seems nice. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Emmer"
Which just goes to prove that mainstream Republicans are just as whack as their out-and-proud whackaloon counterparts.
