Kevin is trying to buy the Taliban20 with promises to grovel to MAGA. Some of the 20 are making noises about a deal.
It's not clear enough of the 20 will go along.
But imagine a speaker getting in that way after 6 failed ballots. Especially if he has to get "present" votes to lower the threshold?
He'd be the most feeble, pathetic Speaker in modern history.
@RationalLeft If the Dems can get 5 (R) votes, they could select Jeffries for Speaker! They can make promises just as well (even better, they keep theirs) as Qevin!