It’s a shame—not the boondoggle that has discombobulated the House GOP, but that a majority vote on the next Speaker of the House isn’t in effect. If it were, then Rep. Hakeem Jeffries would take the gavel.
When it comes to American politics, the current House of Representatives situation is symptomatic of the problem. Nothing is as dismaying as understanding filibusters, gerrymandering, the Electoral College and when a majority vote is not sufficient.
Be that as it may, it was a pleasure to watch the Republicans get jammed, not by the unified Democrats, but the ultra-conservative wing of their own party. On Wednesday, if things go as planned, a fourth ballot vote for the next speaker will occur, but there is little hope that the issue will be settled.
And if Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif) manages to work out a deal, the political path ahead will continue to be bogged down with dissension and disagreement among GOP members, particularly when it comes to passing budget and other fiscal matters.
Now it’s reported that Trump who, in part, instigated the flummoxed GOP, has asked them to get behind McCarthy. If such a ploy works, it will only bring additional drama to a circumstance already beset with seemingly irreconcilable differences.
In short, the GOP is stuck in a gunk that, should it continue ,would be a bonanza for the Democrats in the 2024 presidential race. Already a harbinger occurred when the GOP failed to get their predicted gains during the midterm elections.
We knew it would be a remarkable turn of events, but what if six disgruntled Republicans cut a deal with the Democrats and gave Jeffries the votes he needs to be the speaker? We know: Dream on!