The MAGAt Republican coup caucus is getting ready for another display of dysfunction, trying to reach a consensus on which of nine -- eight, make that eight -- far- right candidates it will nominate to be the second in line for the Presidency:
House Republicans coming out of a Monday night speaker candidate forum expressed some cautious optimism that their unprecedented 20-day stretch without a leader — and resulting shutdown of legislative business in that chamber — is nearly over. But members chastened by recent history weren’t yet ready to declare victory.
The GOP conference is set to vote Tuesday morning after hearing from the remaining eight candidates, a crop that thinned out slightly Monday night when Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., dropped out. He said he had other commitments he wanted to focus on, including working on former President Donald Trump’s campaign in his home state.
“The House will be in good hands with one of those members that are up there now,” Meuser said. “I’m more optimistic now than ever.”
The remaining speaker candidates are Jack Bergman of Michigan, Byron Donalds of Florida, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Austin Scott of Georgia and Pete Sessions of Texas.
The range here is bad to worse. These are how they voted on key issues regarding American democracy and human rights:
OBJECTED TO CERTIFYING 2020 ELECTION
Jack Bergman (MI)
Byron Donalds (FL)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Pete Sessions (TX)
CERTIFIED THE 2020 ELECTION
Tom Emmer (MN)
Austin Scott (GA)
-Both members signed onto the Texas lawsuit seeking to throw out votes in key swing states
HAVE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST UKRAINE AID
Byron Donalds (FL)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Pete Sessions (TX)
-But most of the candidates have reservations about additional funding to Ukraine.
SUPPORTED PROTECTIONS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Tom Emmer (MN)
OPPOSED PROTECTIONS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Jack Bergman (MI)
Byron Donalds (FL)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Pete Sessions (TX)
Austin Scott (GA)
SUPPORTED RECENT GOVERNMENT FUNDING SHORT-TERM BILL
Tom Emmer (MN)
Jack Bergman (MI)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Austin Scott (GA)
Pete Sessions (TX)
OPPOSED RECENT GOVERNMENT FUNDING SHORT-TERM BILL
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Byron Donalds (FL) missed the vote
HAVE EXPLICITLY ENDORSED TRUMP'S 2024 BID
Byron Donalds (FL)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Pete Sessions (TX)
Jack Bergman (MI)
Dan Meuser (PA)
-Others are supportive of Trump's bid
Like we said, bad to worse. A floor vote could come as soon as one of these chuds manages to get the majority of the caucus behind him, though it's unlikely it would be today.
UPDATE: Emmer has been nominated after five ballots. His chance of being elected Speaker in a floor vote? Don't hold your breath.
UPDATE II: The chaos continues. Emmer drops out.
(Photo: AP/ Getty Images)
