Report Circulating of Plan to Unseat Speaker Boehner.....Fox News

[louis c]

It may or may not happen, but their are some people speculating that the long knives may be out to get the inept, bungling idiot Boehner.

Link to article:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/02/boehner-could-face-rocky-vote-for-speakership-amid-republican-angst/

Link to Report of the plan from Right Wing Blog:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/01/01/Sources-Enough-Republicans-willing-to-band-together-to-unseat-Speaker-John-Boehner-on-Thursday

[rurallib]

1. probably headed by Roger Ailes.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

2. I found two things that were interesting from that article...

First, According to Rep. Peter King, Boehner and Cantor are not on speaking terms. I believe that even though Cantor has played the role of ''loyal lieutenant", he wants the Speakership - badly. And Conservatives are NOT happy with Boehner over this debt deal. They have gotten extreme in their opposition, and they might want someone like Cantor to represent them for the next 2 years at the start of President Obama's 2nd term.

Secondly, this quote: Pelosi could conceivably win the speakership, but only if Republicans cross over to vote for her or if enough Republicans actually abstain from voting.

How does that happen? It is my understanding that if you need a majority of the entire house, in addition to the 200 Democrats, at least 17 Republicans wouldn't have to abstain, but rather actually cast their ballot in favor of Pelosi, something that would NEVER happen. Correct me if I am wrong.

[louis c]

3. Here's your correction

According to the article, there is a move afoot to request a secret ballot when voting for the Speakership.

The rule states that you need a majority of all those who vote by submitting a name. In other words, absences, vacancies and "present" votes reduce the total number of votes cast. Let's say 200 Democrats vote for Pelosi and 40 Republicans abstain and 195 vote for Boehner. Under that remote situation, Pelosi wins. Naturally, if there is a candidate that the 40 renegade Republicans vote for, then there is a second ballot. If they abstain on a voice or electronic vote, then the Renegades would switch their votes before the final count, either to Boehner or one of their own in order to deny Pelosi the Speakership. Pelosi, theoretically, could only become speaker if enough Repuke Cong. abstain in order to reduce the number to reach a majority.