In a humiliating public repudiation, for the first time in a century, Kevin McCarthy was rejected for Speaker of the House by his own party. He could not even get the most votes — losing the plurality to Democratic Party Leader Hakeem Jeffries three times. And the repudiation — the rejection — is personal. Republicans do not even have someone else in mind. They just do not want HIM.
The Republican Party in the Age of Trump has devolved into chaos, division and strife. They campaigned on offering competent governance (and lots, and lots of revenge), promised a Big Red Wave, lost governorships, lost state legislatures, lost a seat in the Senate (for the first time since 1934 Democrats did not lose a single incumbent governor, U.S. Senator or any state legislature) and in the House, where they had expected to gain 40, 50 or even 60 seats, they barely trickled into a tiny, tiny sliver of a majority. The Big Red Wave was a teensy tiny trickle, and the red was more like the result of bloodletting.
Now they have their miniscule House majority and, for the first time in exactly 100 years, boo hoo, they can’t get a majority to constitute House leadership, elect a Speaker, assign committees, or conduct any business of any kind except to keep on trying to confirm a Speaker. They can’t even swear in the members of the current new session. The only other time since the Civil War when the majority party could not form a government on the first ballot, 1923, it was the Republicans in chaos and it took them nine ballots.
Party of governance? They can’t even form a government when they have a majority. Even if Kevin McCarthy finally ekes out his long-coveted speakership, he is utterly humiliated — he is damaged goods. He is humiliated and so is his party.
One of the insurrectionists, I believe it was Gosar, tried to talk AOC into getting Dems to be counted for the quorum but not actually voting, lowering the threshold needed to elect the Speaker. Went over like a tin balloon.
McCarthy should have taken a lesson from the Pelosi playbook; she quietly quashed the rebellions against her before the final vote, thus prevailing with success each time. It would have avoided yesterday’s embarrassment.
Pelosi never sent a proposal to the floor until she counted the votes. It was a hard and fast rule and her record reflects it. At her retirement ceremony, Republican John Boehner praised her in the nicest way.
Somewhere in America, Paul Ryan and John Boehner are getting together for a little glass of champagne that they had the good sense to get out of the job before it degenerated into this.
DD Wiz Premium Member over 1 year ago
In a humiliating public repudiation, for the first time in a century, Kevin McCarthy was rejected for Speaker of the House by his own party. He could not even get the most votes — losing the plurality to Democratic Party Leader Hakeem Jeffries three times. And the repudiation — the rejection — is personal. Republicans do not even have someone else in mind. They just do not want HIM.
The Republican Party in the Age of Trump has devolved into chaos, division and strife. They campaigned on offering competent governance (and lots, and lots of revenge), promised a Big Red Wave, lost governorships, lost state legislatures, lost a seat in the Senate (for the first time since 1934 Democrats did not lose a single incumbent governor, U.S. Senator or any state legislature) and in the House, where they had expected to gain 40, 50 or even 60 seats, they barely trickled into a tiny, tiny sliver of a majority. The Big Red Wave was a teensy tiny trickle, and the red was more like the result of bloodletting.
Now they have their miniscule House majority and, for the first time in exactly 100 years, boo hoo, they can’t get a majority to constitute House leadership, elect a Speaker, assign committees, or conduct any business of any kind except to keep on trying to confirm a Speaker. They can’t even swear in the members of the current new session. The only other time since the Civil War when the majority party could not form a government on the first ballot, 1923, it was the Republicans in chaos and it took them nine ballots.
Party of governance? They can’t even form a government when they have a majority. Even if Kevin McCarthy finally ekes out his long-coveted speakership, he is utterly humiliated — he is damaged goods. He is humiliated and so is his party.
sipsienwa Premium Member over 1 year ago
I am waiting for the Baby Shark clap.
Flashaaway over 1 year ago
So why isn’t Hakeem Jeffries the house speaker if he won all 3 ballots?
brwydave Premium Member over 1 year ago
Kevin, don’t believe everything you are told by shoe salespersons. You don’t look good in pink heels.
DHBirr over 1 year ago
Ach, die Schadenfreude.
Coopersdad over 1 year ago
Mr. Luckovich nailed it again!
Erse IS better over 1 year ago
I saw a bit where Pelosi was explaining that she really cannot handle the very high heels. Such as shown here.
jimchronister2016 over 1 year ago
This Idiot and his party are a joke!
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 1 year ago
This is so entertaining to watch.
ibFrank over 1 year ago
Why is it harder to steal a election for Speaker than it is for President?
baroden Premium Member over 1 year ago
This must have been what it felt like when the good German people watched the Nazis take over the Reichstag in 1932.
mourdac Premium Member over 1 year ago
One of the insurrectionists, I believe it was Gosar, tried to talk AOC into getting Dems to be counted for the quorum but not actually voting, lowering the threshold needed to elect the Speaker. Went over like a tin balloon.
WestNYC Premium Member over 1 year ago
McCarthy should have taken a lesson from the Pelosi playbook; she quietly quashed the rebellions against her before the final vote, thus prevailing with success each time. It would have avoided yesterday’s embarrassment.
The Nodding Head over 1 year ago
Kevin McCarthy is a pandering, pathetic, putrid, pusillanimous puss… and he’s as good a leader as the Repulsivecans have.
Ontman over 1 year ago
Nice shoe Kevin. What’s your drag name?
piper_gilbert over 1 year ago
Say what you want, but Pelosi is a stronger leader than anyone the Republicans can come up with.
Bookworm over 1 year ago
The new theme song for the GOP House of Representatives; “It’s a Hard Knocks Life for Us.”
lonecat over 1 year ago
McCarthy’s only qualification for Speaker is his blind ambition to be Speaker.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 1 year ago
Awww.. and he so much wanted to take that gavel from Pelosi. Almost.. makes me shed a tear.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 1 year ago
Since there’s no speaker, who’s the presiding officer over this clown show? That’s gotta be one of the most thankless jobs in DC!
paranormal over 1 year ago
He’s a small small man…
ShadowMaster over 1 year ago
He will never fill her shoes
NickelAlloy over 1 year ago
We used to have Democrats and Republicans. Now we have Democrats and a box full of disease-ridden rats. Is this any way to run a country?
bevtracy2011 over 1 year ago
You’re gonna need that megaphone, Kevvie, and way more!!! Fact is, you’ll never have “enough!”
LeftCoastBoomer Premium Member over 1 year ago
Pelosi never sent a proposal to the floor until she counted the votes. It was a hard and fast rule and her record reflects it. At her retirement ceremony, Republican John Boehner praised her in the nicest way.
Masterskrain Premium Member over 1 year ago
Now he just lost a 4th time!
Ally2005 over 1 year ago
K McC, in true GQP form, should just declare victory and steal the gavel. I Won!
Ally2005 over 1 year ago
Looks like it’s 0 for 6.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 1 year ago
Somewhere in America, Paul Ryan and John Boehner are getting together for a little glass of champagne that they had the good sense to get out of the job before it degenerated into this.
MFRXIM Premium Member over 1 year ago
Jeffries for Speaker!
MC4802 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Nancy never held a vote where she didn’t already know the outcome…
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 1 year ago
Dare we hope that they can keep this up for the next 730 days?
pamela welch Premium Member over 1 year ago
Picture worth a 1000 words, Mike. Good Job!