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In other words, McCarthy may have no other choice but to go for it now. Some astute political
observers wonder whether circumstances will be any different for McCarthy than they were for
Boehner.
Moreover, a matriculation by McCarthy creates an opening for majority leader. That in turn could
trigger a race for majority whip. This all comes while Congress tries to avoid a government
shutdown, raise the debt ceiling and fund major transportation programs in the coming weeks.
This is going to be a barnburner of a leadership election," said a knowledgeable source.
So much for Boehner trying to curb the turmoil.
It appears a coalition of some Republicans and lots of Democrats will sign on to the stopgap
spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. But could that roll call vote serve as a litmus test
for McCarthy and other GOPers angling for a promotion?
In other words, why would the decision by the current GOP leadership to put that bill on the floor
help McCarthy, House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.; Republican Conference Chairwoman
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.; Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., or others now
angling for leadership positions?
Couldnt the same group that wanted to torpedo Boehner deploy the government funding vote
against those leaders, too? Why would they be absolved and treated any differently than Boehner by
House conservatives?
The full House votes for Speaker. Once Boehner departs, there will be 434 members: 246
Republicans and 188 Democrats. House GOPers are expected to nominate McCarthy. The Democrats
will undoubtedly run House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
But members can vote for anyone and nominate additional candidates on the floor.
The successful speaker must secure an outright majority of the entire House. Not simply the most
votes. The next speaker needs to garner 218 votes (an absolute majority of 434). That means
McCarthy or whomever cannot lose more than 28 Republicans or it forces a second ballot. Again,
there were 25 GOP defectors in Boehners last speaker vote. The House cannot conduct any other
business until it selects a new speaker.