I normally don’t post on weekends but need this info for a possible article and am at a loss in searching for an answer.
Thune, Cornyn, and Scott are all part of the Swamp. How is it they’re the only ones up for vote consideration?
Is it just who declares themself to be a candidate and they were the only ones who did? And is it too late to publicly call for another name?
Links substantiating opinions will be appreciated.
As far as I can tell, the floor leader is whoever can rub elbows and jockey enough votes from the other senators of his party. It’s how I imagine the head cheerleader is selected.
My first blush is that it’s an opaque system that coincidentally provides bigger party players more control.
It’s an important question, especially considering how the majority leader so “staunchly defended” us last time they had control. Why, think of how bad it could have been if we had passed any of our bills at the wrong time! Or maybe, just any of our bills.
But, I didn’t see anything that spells out the formal process.
I wish I had a link, but… my understanding is that hopefuls personally go around canvassing their colleagues for votes, just like they do for bills they want to introduce. If they can get enough votes “lined up,” they announce. If so, what you’re seeing is evidence of the majority of Senate Republicans being Rinos who will not support a MAGA-type candidate for Speaker.
There’s a lot of unwritten rules of power that congress follows. This is likely one of them.
So basically, as a friend advised, they throw a stick in the water and see where it floats…
How can democracy, such a noble sounding concept, become such an ugly thing in practice?
One announces that they’re interested in the job, then by hook or by crook, collects a combination of the most votes for themself and a share of the votes against somebody else. Perhaps it was less ugly when the back rooms were smoke filled to where it was more difficult to see what was going on. VP Harris and former Mayor Brown might have relevant thoughts on the latter but I’ll leave it up to someone else to ask them.
“Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.” — John Godfrey Saxe (?)
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/07/08/laws-sausages/
I’ve never been in government, but I’ve played power games in large professional organizations. There are two important things to think about, in my opinion.
First, you have to have someone who knows how to get things done — who knows the procedures like the back of his hand, who knows who needs to be talked to , what kinds of bargains need to be made, etc. This takes someone who has successfully been doing stuff like that for awhile. Some young Turk who walks into that situation will simply not be successful and will likely be eaten up. You are going to have a Senate that is 47-53 or 48-52. That means that it will require dealmaking to get *anything* done. Walking in and saying “Screw you, I’m the new Sheriff in town” with result in disaster.
Second, you need someone who hasn’t alienated half the people he needs to deal with. If you elect someone who has been walking around, pointing at half his colleagues and saying “F*** you, you cucks!” then half of the people in his party and all of the people in the opposition party will be too busy trying to make sure he fails to worry about an agenda.
Sure, you can elect some hardcore MAGA revolutionary, but then *nothing* will get done.
This is all Mitch McConnel pulling a fast one by forcing a vote before the newly elected members are sworn in. Whats the hurry?
Mitch McConnel is pulling a fast one rushing a vote before the newly elected Senators are sworn in and have say. What’s the hurry?
Comment from Bondmen:
My contribution to this divisive and contrived senatorial McConnellism is:
https://action.gunrights.org/2024/1901_DemandProGunSenate.aspx?iteration=SMS111024&source=housefile
I can’t wait for the day his name is no longer in the ‘news’!