With just minutes to go until the 113th Congress convenes, the first order of business will be to choose a new Speaker of House? Will the new boss be the same as the old boss? Can Boehner survive a tea party insurrection or a pissed off New York/New Jersey delegation?
In my dreams Boehner falls, and the GOP picks someone so radical that the most moderate GOoPers decide they'd rather support a Democrat over a nihilist, though that would most likely be a blue dog like Hoyer over Pelosi. Alas my dreams will probably stay a dream.
What do you think?
10:24 AM PT: Boehner wins. On the last vote, Bill Young he got the 215th vote he needed for an absolute majority of 215 (of 429 members present). And with that the 6 initially silent reps all voted for Boehner on the re-canvass (except for Raul Labrador who remained silent and Steve Stockman who voted present).
10:28 AM PT: Certified tally 429 present, 426 voting, 215 needed to win.
Boehner 220 (by the ash of his Camel Ultra Light)
Pelosi 192
Other or Present 14. 12 GOP defections, 2 Democratic defections.
Others:
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) 3
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) 2
Nutjob Allen West (R-FL) 2
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) 1
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) 1
Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) 1
Gen. Colin Powell 1
David Walker of Ohio 1 (who?)
Present 2