I Really Did Not Think History Loved Me This Much

Ralph Norman on Steve Bannon's show: "We're growing in numbers, and we're gonna stay here as long as it takes ... they all said it was only gonna be five of us. Well, they're wrong. There will be more than 20 of us today." pic.twitter.com/dAxfXyKZEl

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 4, 2023

The likeliest result of this temper tantrum is going to be a compromise with the Democrats and a power-sharing agreement which will actually make the House work better than it would have under McCarthy (who is never going to be Speaker of the House. Put money on it!).

I saw a lot of commentary yesterday about how this shitshow proves the House will eventually elect a speaker and then move forward on destroying the full faith and credit of the United States by refusing to ever again raise the debt ceiling.  Except all it would take is 5 Republicans who don't want to see that happen to vote with the Democrats, and it would be over.  (Does anybody really think McCarthy or Scalise or whatever clown the Freedom Caucus would concede to elect would have the parliamentary and legislative skills of Pelosi to keep that vote from happening?)

The House Freedom Caucus have shot their wad.  It's all over but the recognition by McCarthy that he's done and he should start moving back to his old offices.  What's keeping this fight going now is his intransigence, and that's going to become clear soon enough.  There was no "red wave."  They didn't win the House; not with 20 crazies who think they now rule the world.  Frankly, that's about as anti-democratic as it gets, and it's time to, in Tom Wait's deathless phrase that keeps running through my head (now I know why!), whittle 'em into kindling.

The only possible outcome now is the one I said was the likeliest result.  Upon reflection, I think it's the only result possible.  If McCarthy would recognize that much, he'd finally be a servant to his country.

I ain't holdin' my breath, though.

McCarthy heading to floor:

"We're not going to adjourn. We'll have another vote today".

— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) January 4, 2023

Republican staff are now making plans for their bosses to stay through the weekend in case no House speaker is chosen by the end of the week. https://t.co/oblidIo2X3

— Farnoush Amiri (@FarnoushAmiri) January 4, 2023

Sooner or later it's going to become obvious who's the irresponsible adult in the room.