- Previous post indicates extensive dissatisfaction with Republican leadership.
- Challenges to Boehner promote conservative agenda
- Call Iowa’s Republican Congressman to plead for new Republican leadership right away – vote is Tuesday
- Phone numbers below.
The answer to the question “can Democrats help Boehner” is yes. The better question is – will they?
It is very unlikely that it would happen on the first vote but the members are not required to vote for their party’s nominee. Indeed members are not required to vote for an elected member of the House of Representatives. However, bolting to vote for a member of another party could lead to the member being stripped of seniority within their party and loss of desired committee assignments. As long as the members of the majority party vote for a member of their party the same level of retribution is not quite as likely but could be a “consideration.”
But this year is different.
The grassroots dissatisfaction with Speaker Boehner is palpable. Retribution by Boehner, should he prevail in the Speaker vote, would have to be more subtle. The more Republicans that vote for a Republican alternative, the safer they are even without additional cover. The depth of GOP grassroots satisfaction will provide additional protection.
Looking back to the vote for Speaker of the House two years ago we note from this article in The Hill:
In a vote that opened the 113th Congress, Boehner received 220 votes, compared to 192 for Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the minority leader. Fourteen members voted for other candidates or present. Boehner needed 218 votes to win reelection assuming a full roster of 435 members voted, but only 426 voted, so he only needed 214 votes.
But what about after the first round of voting? Might Democrats be turned loose? Again not likely because of other political dynamics particularly in the member’s home district. But . . . it is an interesting scenario. A super safe Democrat seat, the blessing of Minority Leader Pelosi. And where would they go? Not to help a no holds barred conservative, but to help the more pliable Boehner perhaps.
No doubt there are more subtle ways for Democrats to try to help achieve a compromising Speaker. But most likely Democrats might think to delight in what they see as a disunified Republican caucus and presume to gain leverage. The reason that that scenario will not hold to their advantage is that challenges to Boehner are a win win for conservatives.
Should Boehner prevail, however handily in superficial appearance, he knows the dissatisfaction with him is wide and deep, the localized caucus vote notwithstanding. A significant amount of his Republican caucus support will be torn and expect him to perform to protect them. He will have to deal with holding the party together, and to do that will mean seriously accommodating conservatives in their efforts to stop the Obamanation.
or . . .
All that assumes on the part of Boehner a survival instinct beyond 2016 as Speaker, good will, and a semblance of conservative instincts on Boehner’s part. But the big question, the source of dissatisfaction,the reason behind challenges, is whether Boehner is sincere about stopping the Obamanation, reducing the size and scope of government and maintaining the culture. Or, is he more about doing the bidding of Chamber of Commerce types and crony capitalists and maybe those that want conservatives to leave the party?
Last minute calls to Iowa’s Republican Congressmen:
Rod Blum’s DC office phone number is 202-225-2911
Steve King (already committed to support other than Boehner) 202-225-4426
David Young – no direct line found. Call House switchboard 202-224-3121 or Capitol switchboard — 855-398-4323
R Mall
