Spoiler alert:
Here we go again. Ballot #14.
It looks like a full house with everybody in their seats, unlike earlier ballots. I'd say the GOP are expecting a win for McCarthy tonight.
They opened again with another prayer. It must have been for a miracle. I didn't listen. Perhaps - most likely - they open every House meeting with a prayer.
The clerk got things a little out of order, but they soon got underway. I can't believe I'm up at 9:00pm (central) to watch this shitshow. Elise Stefanik looks quite pleased as McCarthy is nominated for the 14th time, so maybe they really do have the votes this time. Patrick McHenry tried to make a lame joke introducing his nomination of McCarthy, and he didn't get a bite even from the Republicans - that's how lame it was. I didn't even recognize it as a joke. He had to tell us, saying it was better as written than delivered. Then he made another lame joke about the press and had to tell us again it was a joke. Same excuse about written vs delivered. JFC. He's wearing a bow tie, so maybe I should have understood right away that he's a clown. He's the joke.
McHenry praising McCarthy talks about what a good person he is. Says McCarthy might even send flowers to your sick spouse.
Pete Aguilar, who nominated (and has been nominating) Hakeem Jeffries for the Dems, just insulted the Republicans by saying the same people who abetted the insurrection may well be running the House if they can ever decide who they want to lead them. Absolutely true - and absolutely shameful. Of course it caused a stink on the GOP side, because they have no sense of shame.
Gaetz is sitting beside Jordan at the start, but when his name was called, he didn't answer. At some point he left and then returned shortly after, taking a seat beside Boebert. Perhaps he's done it so he can make a big deal at the end of the show when those who were missed get the last votes. Biggs and Good still voting for Jordan. Crane and Rosendale voted for Biggs. Boebert caved and voted present. Did she get what she wanted?
Hunt got a standing O from the GOP when he voted for McCarthy. He must have been one of the ones who was absent earlier and got called back to town. Spartz changed her present to a vote for McCarthy.
Oh? Whose backbone are they going to borrow? Integrity? And if they do, how will the MAGA group retaliate?
Gaetz is now called after all are finished, and he votes present, sitting beside Boebert, getting his applause. Can't wait to hear what those two tell reporters about why they agreed to let McCarthy have the gavel.
McCarthy has walked up to where Gaetz and Boebert are sitting and is telling them something. Looks serious. Gaetz is looking animated, pointing and shaking his finger at McCarthy. Boebert is sitting quietly. McCarthy starts to walk back to his seat at the front looking quite stern, and there's some ruckus.* He heads back up the aisle and then back to his seat at the front. He does not look happy. Neither does Gaetz. There are huddles around both Gaetz/Boebert and McCarthy. Rosendale is shaking Gaetz' and Boebert's hands. Big huddle there. Looks like some important discussion. Somebody whispering in Gaetz ear and then patting him on the shoulder. Must be some placating happening for some reason. Gaetz still obviously complaining. I guess I'll just have to wait for the reportage after they leave the chamber.
The clerk finally calls the room to order to give the verdict. McCarthy looks quite smug. And proud. He's got nothing to be proud of in this. Uh-oh. He didn't get the win! He thought he had it.
Motion to adjourn. Lots of screaming. Going to have to take an actual vote. I hope those guys who got called back to vote didn't leave again, because I don't want to stay up all night. And after what appeared to be going on between McCarthy and Gaetz, I have a feeling he won't be getting a present vote from Gaetz and Boebert again. There are two no votes from Republicans. Gaetz and Boebert? There are 16 Republicans who haven't voted with 5 minutes left to cast votes.
Update: Four Republican no votes. Final tally: Yea - 218, No - 215, Not voting - 1 Republican. The count keeps changing on the scoreboard. Republican no votes keep climbing. Time is up, but apparently that doesn't matter. The chairwoman needs to jump in there and stop this shitshow. She's just standing there waiting for somebody to tell her what to do. I think the scoreboard is broken. Nope. There are now 67 Republican no votes. What's the purpose of having a time limit I wonder if you can keep changing. Yeas - 155, Nos - 279.
They're now chanting "One more time!" FFS. Gaetz is laughing now.
McCarthy won't quit. Some Republicans need to borrow a spine and work with the Dems to elect someone else.
And they're off again. #15. It's about to be midnight there. So, I'm going to go to day 5. McCarthy is grinning like an idiot. As are all the Republicans. Unbelievable. They're having a party.
...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.
*UPDATE:
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