Follow
*If* this holds (yesterday's reportedly imminent deal didn't), and *if* it gets Kevin to 218 (it reportedly won't, but they hope to pressure the remaining holdouts into line), McCarthy will be a powerless shell masquerading as Speaker.
There is no way to functionality that involves McCarthy and his groveling surrender to the MAGA lunatics who just cost the Rs most of their midterm aims.
@Rstrahs 100% certain at this point. A *minimum* of 11 ballots, very possibly more (since even the 'optimists' admit this deal won't get them to 218, even if it holds) and paralyzing pandering to the lunatic fringe...
There wouldn't have been a Speaker that weak since the 1850s.
@RationalLeft this is exactly what I said. He will be a lame duck speaker. Too many concessions to actually be effective.