Why is it taking so long to vote a speaker of the house?

Question

I swear Kevin McCarthy can't catch a break! He's already been up for vote 6 times and he still can't be voted in. This doesn't ever Usually happen

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Actually, this is fairly common. It is just that it is normally not so visible. The difference being that, in this case, the Republican majority was so small that any faction that was of a mind was able, not to win a majority for its' views outright, but simply to deny a majority for the Speakership to the other factions in the party.

It is important to keep in mind that American political parties are not ideological parties as you tend to see in Europe. Rather they are lose knit coalitions of regional, religious, ethnic, racial, income and other groups that have come together in part by common interests and in part by historical accident.

In the case of the GOP, it is a coalition made up of classical liberals - which Americans call conservatives, libertarians, small and medium sized business, religious and social traditionalists, lower middle and upper middle income earners, farmers, rural and exurban populations, older voters, the South, the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountain West and the state of Alaska, to name the most prominent groups.

On the Democratic side you get, ethnic and religious minorities, middle and high income wage earners, big business and entertainment industries, urban and inner suburban votes, radical liberals - which Americans call liberals. (Note, the term "radical" here does not mean as Americans use it, i. e. "extremist," but rather as the ancient Greeks used the term, meaning "to the root of.") The northeast, the mid-Atlantic, the Pacific coast and the state of Hawaii.

This is how you get a Republican Party that runs from Ted Cruz at one end to John Kasich at the other. This is how you get a Democratic Party that runs from Joe Manchin at one end to Elizabeth Warren at the other. Quite simply, party identification is not about ideological identity.

Further, at this moment in time, the nation as a whole - and thus both parties in particular - are experiencing a populist wave. Populism is not a coherent ideology. Rather it tends to be an expression of resentment toward the established institutions of society.

Historically, the USA experienced such a populist wave in the mid-to-late 19th century - see also William Jennings Bryan as an example - as the economy transitioned from a mercantile/agricultural base to a manufacturing/industrial base. The current wave, similarly, has been born as the economy has begun to transition from the aforementioned manufacturing/industrial base to a high tech/service base.

Within the GOP, the party that was once the party of the rich is now the party of the working class. Ditto it is increasing, slowly but surely, its share of ethnic, racial and religious minorities. This has left within the GOP - historically the party of established institutions - a faction that deeply resents what it regards as "the elites" and "the corporate interests" and "the bureaucracy."

Here is where Rep. McCarthy has been caught. A small populist faction of the GOP regards his, fairly or not, as representative of the "establishment" and has therefore set itself against him come what may. McCarthy has tried to make deals regarding reforms to the rules of the House of Representatives. (As an aside, I am a former House staffer and still work in politics.)

However, here lay another problem. As noted, populism is not a coherent ideology but is rather an expression of cultural envy and resentments. Thus it tends to be a mishmash of policy ideas. See also Donald Trump - who is a populist, not a conservative - whose administration claimed to be free market oriented but favored trade protectionism and various government social programs.

Thus, as has been seen in various media interviews, when the "rebels" are asked what reforms they want, they tend to speak in terms of vague generalities. "Upending the system" and "changing the way things are done," and "fighting the establishment." However on specific policies they are either all over the board or have no specifics to offer.

This makes cutting a deal with the populist faction maddeningly vague and complicated and thus the prolonged debate. The difference this time being that the populist faction is just large enough, within the small GOP majority, to be decisive. Hence, the current stalemate.

BCA6010 · Accepted Answer

There's 20 or so (last I checked) who are demanding he promise to put some bills up for a vote as speaker. Among them include a bill that would put term limits on Congress, restrictions on government spending, and another require adequate reading time permitted before voting on large bills. McCarthy refuses to put any of these up for a vote on the grounds of not having the support to pass them - the truth is that even if that's correct (it probably is), what he and the rest of the government establishment class don't want is a bill that would effectively expose every power-hungry hypocrite when they inevitably vote these two, overwhelmingly popular measures as far as the general population is concerned.

Beyond that, his record as a party leader is pretty abysmal... It's littered with making concessions for worthless gains or just nothing at all, he's absolutely part of the much maligned ruling class (or "the swamp") and pretty universally disliked by the Republican base. He doesn't really stand for anything except whatever helps him win and stay in power, but there's also some major issues with the opposition: first and foremost, all of the likely alternatives are people who have already endorsed McCarthy themselves. Even Donald Trump has historically and continues to support him, which makes it very easy to paint the opposition as opportunists out to enrich themselves (which is likely true for many of them).

Adaeva · Accepted Answer

Because there are a few true republicans that don't want another democrat, including a democrat elected as a republican, to be speaker of the house. However, most republicans want a democrat in republican's clothing, because that is what they are.

And, because the democrats believe several democrats elected as republicans will, in time, vote for their candidate.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

If the people will not budge on their vote and prefer a stalement scenario, it might be proof they were bribed to avoid voting for the popular candidate.

WhiteSteve · Answer

McCarthy is a fraud lmfao. Condemned Jan 6th, then had a meeting with Trump and came out of it supporting Trump. Guy is totally for sale, as is pretty much everyone who works in that building. He’ll probably get it eventually but is getting his nuts put in a vise by the old school conservatives who won’t give him the votes. Guaranteed he’s behind closed doors making deals, promising these guys spots on special congressional counsels and whatnot, pledging support for their agenda items, etc.

I love how he moved all his stuff into the Speaker’s office already, and that other idiot Matt Gaetz is trying to get it all removed. DC is a fucking gong show😂

Ill_made_Knight · Answer

He has already given concessions to a bunch of the holdouts refusing to vote for him to the point he has nothing left to concede, which to be honest would make him a very weak speaker indeed. They are self proclaimed "never Kevins". They are chiefly Freedom Caucus folks like Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, and Louie Gohmert, so the most radical of the radical... He needs 218, there are 222 R's voting. So he can only have 4 defections and still win. There are something like 20 on every vote. I've heard it said that in the case of Gaetz and perhaps a few others it may be personal... many are suggesting he pull his hat from the ring

Soteris · Answer

Partially it is because the slim majority, partially its because of the fragmented GOP with all its internal factions vying for power but mostly its because Kevin McCarthy is a really bad politician who can't do his job well which includes rallying public and party support behind himself. It is his own personal failure and if he cared about the party then he would accept the loss and work to nominate someone else.

It is not a small amount of GOP politicians refusing to vote for him that is holding up the house, it is him refusing to admit he lost and step aside that is holding up the majority of the voting power required to nominate a speaker of the house. He is the problem.

Stoner710 · Answer

because the freedom Caucus of the republicans party doesn't want a squishy republicans like Kevin McCarthy.

that being said he's alright he's definitely more conservative then John Baynor or Newt Gingrich but he will likely pass a trillion dollar budget much like Mitch McConnell instead of little bills that cost a little amount of money rather then a 3000 page bill that no one has had time to read. Jim Jorden (who i don't think he wants the position) would be a way better speaker. but if fairness "some seek greatness others have greatness thrust upon them"

RealMarek · Answer

McCarthy intentionally sabotaged Republican anti-establishment candidates during the primaries. He also failed to put together a well thought out platform and serious campaign. It appears he wanted to win, but not to win big, thus gaining control while keeping anti-establishment conservatives out of office. Then to add insult to injury, he and McConnell rushed through the omnibus package to send more billions with zero accountability to Ukraine. McConnell made the incredibly outrageous statement that “Funding Ukraine is the top priority for most Republicans.” Perhaps for those funded by the defense industry, but not for the base of the party. There are other problems with McCarthy. He is not a nice guy, let’s say. The fact that he won’t give up after 11 votes demonstrates how grasping, entitled, and devoid of dignity he is. So the populists are digging in their heels despite the press, the Democrats, and the GOP establishment all being against them.

exitseven · Answer

He is not tough enough to deal with democrats. He is a swamp creature and there is a large faction of the country that is just sick and tired of business as usual in Washington. This is why everyone hated Trump. He was draining the swamp. He just didn;t know how deep it was. I think Jim Jordan would be a better choice.

Anonymous · Answer

One of the biggest problems with the political class in Washington D. C. is the rules they setup for themselfs that favor extremism and entrenchment.

Basically congress gives the highest ranking position to the longest serving members. To be a long serving congressman your district has to be relatively solid IE non-competitive and thus extreme.

Also if you happen to be a long serving member you will tend to have had time to develop a lot of friends and family in the Washington D. C. area pushing you to favor big goverment they work and benefit from.

BCRanger10 · Answer

Because, as Ben Shapiro so eloquently put it, the Republicans decided to raid the local homeless shelters and rehab centers for candidates. As a result, they picked a lot of really bad ones. Because of this, there isn't enough support for Kevin McCarthy.

Belgie · Answer

Evil always turns on itself eventually. It turns out there are consequences to embracing fascist nutjobs. Sooner or later they turn on you because you're not as depraved as they are.

Trump says vote for Kevin, he will be good maybe great. But the fascists need their meat and hour of hate, so they'll ignore Trump. I guess Donald isn't Trumpian enough either, lol.

Pass the popcorn. Let's see Kevin go again.

HighValue · Answer

Some Republicans wanted term limits for congress and an agreement to only pass budgets that have no deficit and he refused. He isn't really a GOOD choice, but he is still better than the other side and there is no other candidate that can get enough votes so he really is the only option available.

newusername808 · Answer

This guy needs to go. He said he earned this job please dude go somewhere with that noise. Republicans embraced hate since the Obama days not it has come back to bite them hard and will not let go. Kmac is Kmarting his soul on a blue light special just to get this power. Sad to watch and I am sure costing the public millions to hold these no votes... whats crazy is ol'boy said he will keep at until he gets seated..

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Because of the stupid rule that says he needs 218 votes. I think it's GREAT though if I'm completely honest. We're seeing true democracy at work. I loved that the elections were taking so long too. It creates suspense and gives me something to look forward to. I don't like when results are known within a few hours.

LiamJHayden · Answer

He could not close the deal in 2015, either, which is why the Republicans went with their former VP candidate Paul Ryan. The only way McCarthy gets the Speakership this time is if enough Democrats do not vote, which would lower the threshold from 218 to a majority of those voting. The likely next Speaker is Steve Scalise, not McCarthy.

Dargil · Answer

He is holding out because he he wants the power. Republicans need a hothead as speaker. Jim Jordan does not want it because of all the democrats he wants to impale when he runs the Judiciary Committee. Steve Scalise should be elected.

Twalli · Answer

The last time we went past 9 ballots was in 1855 when it took 2 months and 133 ballots. Slavery was a key issue then and party divisions were more nebulous than they are now. It's making the GOP look like a joke and also makes it looks like they're incapable of governing. I think if McCarthy just said he wants the title but won't actually do what a Speaker of the House is supposed to do, he may get the votes.

Evil_Chuck · Answer

Because the majority of Republicans who know what it takes to govern are being hamstrung by a minority that doesn't, and ain't interested in learning. That's what happens when you elect drunk uncles (and aunts) to positions of power. They stumble around, make noise, and embarrass everyone else in the House.

Revvl6pro · Answer

People voted for Trump because he didn't play ball with the establishment. The media did their jobs and made him out to be a villain. The morons believe the talking heads.

Qdbrown · Answer

Because a group of Republicans with good support want certain things promised before they will vote for anyone. Look on the bright side, Trump was nominated today to the role.

Ghostykill3r · Answer

Because like with most things in our government, the people in charge care more about getting elected next term than they do helping this country.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

The democrats are spiteful and the republicans are not unified.

Mangospacho · Answer

I think they just assumed he would win the vote since it hasn’t gone this many rounds but they just don’t have a backup plan.

TheNameIsRob · Answer

Because he’s a RINO and part of the swamp. It’s about time we get some fresh new minds in office because both sides are part of the problem.

NewtoTheSouth · Answer

Ideological differences within the Republican Party. Mark my words, by this summer it will all be forgotten (maybe sooner). Feel free to come back to this on July 1st 2023 to see if I am right.

BJP21 · Answer

Its because government enjoys wasting tax payer dollars.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

Because McCarthy is a cuck for the democrats so very few Republicans want to vote for him.

Fuentes · Answer

I'm done with Politics until 2024, Trump Or DeSantis will save America 🇺🇸!!!

Tracker1958 · Answer

If they put McCarty as speaker, It will be the same old crap we have had for the pass 20 years.

Sabretooth · Answer

That party would rather make fools of themselves... Think God.

Guy13 · Answer

Conservatives verse moderates...

gorydetails · Answer

because McCarthy is a RINO schmuck.

msc545 · Answer

Nobody likes that guy.

BLP11520 · Answer

It’s going on right now

Why is it taking so long to vote a speaker of the house?

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