Jerry, Considering it’s after 5:30AM here on the East coast, I will be brief. I would suggest your project at this stage focus on persistent efforts to connect with the 18 House Republicans from Biden-won districts. In my view, however your initiative to seek a consensus candidate for Speaker evolves, part or virtually all of this select group is your best hope for getting started.
Barbara might be onto something here; the likelihood of "18 Repubs from Biden-won districts" supporting Jeffries seems more possible than 200+ Dems voting for a consensus moderate Repub.
Lots of moderate Repubs feel they got screwed by McCarthy and might be getting sick of the Q-Repubs (like MTG, Boebert, Gaetz, Jordan) running the show and getting all the headlines and committee assignments.
The big question is: would they dare vote for a Dem Speaker? I think it's definitely worth opening a conversation with moderate Repubs who are disenchanted with McCarthy.
Opening a conversation on anything is a good idea, Abe. But asking a moderate to do something so radical as turning over control of the House seems like a mighty big lift.
I completely agree, Barb. We're currently researching all 18 of them to determine the best way to approach each. As you know from our private correspondence, my favorite is Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania's 1st. We're also studying each member (D & R) of his problem-solvers caucus.
Jerry, While I don’t know precisely how you are approaching your research, I would suggest it include contacting local elected and political officials in each district not only to get their input but also to enlist their help in galvanizing constituents to press their representatives to reject a radical agenda that is holding the party hostage.
That is an outstanding idea. But I'd need a few more volunteers.
Right now it's all we can do to examine voting records, websites, media appearances and published essays if any. I especially like the idea of enlisting local support for the representative since that would encourage them to be a little bolder than they might otherwise be.
Maybe there's a way to incorporate that once we have compiled a basic list.
How about trying to convince a few moderate Republicans to vote for Jeffries? Or to just vote “ present” when the time comes? At this point I think the only Dens who would vote for a Republican are Manchin and Sinema.
I think that would be much harder, Kate. It would require the Republican to not only vote for a Dem, but also to turn over control of the House. More importantlly, unlike the MAGA radicals, we believe in abiding by election results. Republicans won more seats and are therefore entitled to the Speakership.
I think you'll be surprised at how many good Democrats there are who'll vote for a moderate Republican Speaker so as to isolate and marginalize the extremist MAGA minority, and restore normal functioning governance.
I just want to add that about half way through the marathon balloting for Speaker in January, Ro Khanna (D) from California's 17th (Silicon Valley), went on Fox news to float the idea of Dems joining moderate R's to elect a Republican moderate instead of McCarthy. So the idea has been around four a while now. I believe the debt ceiling dispute will be the catalyst that can make it happen.
I agree, the debt ceiling debate will be the catalyst. What worries me is the MAGA radicals will see it as another opportunity to be "tough" on spending, etc, but I don't believe they're in it to solve problems at all, they're in it to further their own careers, period. And they do that by grabbing headlines and fundraising, etc.
So that leaves the majority of Repubs who are put off by the MAGA radicals but they still support McCarthy; so it's a dilemma for the moderate Repubs - how to get out from under the new power of the MAGA radicals while still supporting McCarthy. Tough position.
What kind of numbers are you talking here? If there's a moderate consensus Repub candidate, how many current McCarthy supporters, "problem solvers" etc have to jump to the new candidate, and how many Dems have to sign on? Is the math doable?
It's the same math as it was in January. People often talk about the numbers using the half dozen margin of majority as the difference. But it's actually more complicated.
There are likely a fair number of progressive Dems who would resist voting for any Rep. Best case scenario from my perspective is Jeffries and Bacon (de facto head of moderate R's) agree on one candidate and each deliver about 110 votes. That gives cover to everyone (strength in numbers), and frees the far left and far right from any appearance of compromise.
But that's all a few steps down the road. The immediate task is to get get people talking about this as a solution to the dominance of the radical MAGA minority and their control of the Speaker.
That seems very reasonable; but two major problems will involve 1) agreeing on a compromise candidate (after all, this person will become the VIP Speaker and a lot of folks there will want that job) and 2) finding 220 "reasonable" politicians willing to risk their own jobs to put country before party. So you've got quite the challenge. But good for you Jerry, for taking some leadership here and inviting input.
And I agree completely that the 'immediate task" is raising the profile and demanding a solution to "the dominance of the radical MAGA minority and their control of the Speaker."
I hope the people who helped you during the marathon Speaker votes will find the energy to continue the fight.
I'm a Canadian and we've also got a rising far-right MAGA-type movement, and with an unpopular centre-left Prime Minister the Right could well gain power. I'm hoping your America situation will be a cautionary tale for us up here in the cold north.
These are existential crises if the far-right continues to gain power.
Thank you for taking a lead role in fighting the fight.
You may be right, Roger. But honestly, I'm more worried that no one will want the job.
In normal times, sure. Being Speaker of the House is a plum position. But presiding over this band of crazies is volunteering to be everyone's scapegoat.
That's why having the support of half of each conference is the best scenario. Ideally, voters will see the temporary alliance as more important than blind party loyalty, thus minimizing the risk.
Jerry, Considering it’s after 5:30AM here on the East coast, I will be brief. I would suggest your project at this stage focus on persistent efforts to connect with the 18 House Republicans from Biden-won districts. In my view, however your initiative to seek a consensus candidate for Speaker evolves, part or virtually all of this select group is your best hope for getting started.
Barbara might be onto something here; the likelihood of "18 Repubs from Biden-won districts" supporting Jeffries seems more possible than 200+ Dems voting for a consensus moderate Repub.
Lots of moderate Repubs feel they got screwed by McCarthy and might be getting sick of the Q-Repubs (like MTG, Boebert, Gaetz, Jordan) running the show and getting all the headlines and committee assignments.
The big question is: would they dare vote for a Dem Speaker? I think it's definitely worth opening a conversation with moderate Repubs who are disenchanted with McCarthy.
ps, Jerry, nice dog pic.
Opening a conversation on anything is a good idea, Abe. But asking a moderate to do something so radical as turning over control of the House seems like a mighty big lift.
p.s. He looks very focused, doesn't he?
I completely agree, Barb. We're currently researching all 18 of them to determine the best way to approach each. As you know from our private correspondence, my favorite is Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania's 1st. We're also studying each member (D & R) of his problem-solvers caucus.
Jerry, While I don’t know precisely how you are approaching your research, I would suggest it include contacting local elected and political officials in each district not only to get their input but also to enlist their help in galvanizing constituents to press their representatives to reject a radical agenda that is holding the party hostage.
That is an outstanding idea. But I'd need a few more volunteers.
Right now it's all we can do to examine voting records, websites, media appearances and published essays if any. I especially like the idea of enlisting local support for the representative since that would encourage them to be a little bolder than they might otherwise be.
Maybe there's a way to incorporate that once we have compiled a basic list.
How about trying to convince a few moderate Republicans to vote for Jeffries? Or to just vote “ present” when the time comes? At this point I think the only Dens who would vote for a Republican are Manchin and Sinema.
I think that would be much harder, Kate. It would require the Republican to not only vote for a Dem, but also to turn over control of the House. More importantlly, unlike the MAGA radicals, we believe in abiding by election results. Republicans won more seats and are therefore entitled to the Speakership.
I think you'll be surprised at how many good Democrats there are who'll vote for a moderate Republican Speaker so as to isolate and marginalize the extremist MAGA minority, and restore normal functioning governance.
I just want to add that about half way through the marathon balloting for Speaker in January, Ro Khanna (D) from California's 17th (Silicon Valley), went on Fox news to float the idea of Dems joining moderate R's to elect a Republican moderate instead of McCarthy. So the idea has been around four a while now. I believe the debt ceiling dispute will be the catalyst that can make it happen.
I agree, the debt ceiling debate will be the catalyst. What worries me is the MAGA radicals will see it as another opportunity to be "tough" on spending, etc, but I don't believe they're in it to solve problems at all, they're in it to further their own careers, period. And they do that by grabbing headlines and fundraising, etc.
So that leaves the majority of Repubs who are put off by the MAGA radicals but they still support McCarthy; so it's a dilemma for the moderate Repubs - how to get out from under the new power of the MAGA radicals while still supporting McCarthy. Tough position.
What kind of numbers are you talking here? If there's a moderate consensus Repub candidate, how many current McCarthy supporters, "problem solvers" etc have to jump to the new candidate, and how many Dems have to sign on? Is the math doable?
It's the same math as it was in January. People often talk about the numbers using the half dozen margin of majority as the difference. But it's actually more complicated.
There are likely a fair number of progressive Dems who would resist voting for any Rep. Best case scenario from my perspective is Jeffries and Bacon (de facto head of moderate R's) agree on one candidate and each deliver about 110 votes. That gives cover to everyone (strength in numbers), and frees the far left and far right from any appearance of compromise.
But that's all a few steps down the road. The immediate task is to get get people talking about this as a solution to the dominance of the radical MAGA minority and their control of the Speaker.
That seems very reasonable; but two major problems will involve 1) agreeing on a compromise candidate (after all, this person will become the VIP Speaker and a lot of folks there will want that job) and 2) finding 220 "reasonable" politicians willing to risk their own jobs to put country before party. So you've got quite the challenge. But good for you Jerry, for taking some leadership here and inviting input.
And I agree completely that the 'immediate task" is raising the profile and demanding a solution to "the dominance of the radical MAGA minority and their control of the Speaker."
I hope the people who helped you during the marathon Speaker votes will find the energy to continue the fight.
I'm a Canadian and we've also got a rising far-right MAGA-type movement, and with an unpopular centre-left Prime Minister the Right could well gain power. I'm hoping your America situation will be a cautionary tale for us up here in the cold north.
These are existential crises if the far-right continues to gain power.
Thank you for taking a lead role in fighting the fight.
You may be right, Roger. But honestly, I'm more worried that no one will want the job.
In normal times, sure. Being Speaker of the House is a plum position. But presiding over this band of crazies is volunteering to be everyone's scapegoat.
That's why having the support of half of each conference is the best scenario. Ideally, voters will see the temporary alliance as more important than blind party loyalty, thus minimizing the risk.