Kevin McCarthy Drops Out

Discussion in 'Political Discussions' started by major56, Oct 8, 2015.

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  1. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Perhaps a case of defective succession planning by Speaker Boehner…?

    E.g., Kevin McCarthy Drops Out of Speaker Race
    WSJ 10/8/2015 1:32PM

    “…House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) said he was dropping out of the race for Speaker to allow for a “new face.”
    Kevin McCarthy Drops Out of Speaker Race

    Oops, John Boehner choosing his own replacement (via Boehner's succession plan) has fallen though…

    No big thing, but John Boehner Cancels On ‘Tonight Show’ After Kevin McCarthy Cancels On Speaker Bid | Deadline
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Translation: he's learned that the House GOP hardliners won't support him even on a floor vote.
     
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    His departure was pre-ordained from the start, even without his gaffes and poor speaking skills and lack of experience, for the reason Steve said. Those other factors just hastened it.

    No one can lead that party. The power no longer sits at the top and every fringe person can pursue outside money as a power base.

    So, why aren't the Democrats--typically much less disciplined--in a similar pickle? Well, the difference between their fringe and center isn't as dramatic. Also, they didn't empower the fringe--and don't rely upon them--like the GOP has done. Finally, being in the minority is less-empowering, and power is what the Far Right is feasting on right now. But Democrats should be careful about over-doing it on the schadenfreude. Except for the lack of the really-out-there element, it could happen to them, too.

    So, what's next? I suspect we'll see a compromise candidate to lead them. They'll find someone. But as we've seen, selecting the Speaker is just the beginning--and possible another dead end.

    Of course, the current Speaker could stay on. Or, he could resign his seat, then be re-elected Speaker. (The Speaker doesn't have to be a member of the House.)

    Or the regular, gee-whiz GOP members could compromise with the Democrats to select someone and marginalize the TPers.

    Or they could just throw the election to the Congress and see what happens.

    Or something else.

    Whatever happens, it will be interesting.
     
  4. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Precisely … but I generally considered John Boehner as basically an ineffective Speaker (leader). And McCarthy gave me the impression of being too much a Boehner replica in correlation to his potential overall leadership /consolidation value. Nonetheless, whoever the new Speaker will be is merely speculation at this point. Nonetheless, that individual will have his/her real work ahead of them. Leadership is a lonely place...
     
  5. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I agree Rich ... it will be interesting.
     
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I've heard it said that they would go with Paul Ryan except that he's too smart to take the job.
     
  7. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I can't imagine why anyone would take that job.
     
  8. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Certainly cannot say as to every person who has ever been Speaker … but surely some have sought after the position and some who have held the position … their central motivation being the POWER the position can/does carry. Regrettably, I wouldn’t dismiss that component as being the key driver to their decision process …
     
  9. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I wouldn’t completely dismiss that option yet…
     
  10. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Ryan's not out....yet. But he will never go from Speaker to the Presidency, and that's his end-game.

    Instead of obsessing over who isn't acceptable, they ought to be talking about who (besides Ryan) is. That's a very short list, if it even exists at all.
     
  11. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Whatever you thought of his politics, Newt Gingrich was one of the most brilliant Speakers we ever had.
     
  12. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Well, his one redeeming quality is the fact that he had a PhD in History.
     
  13. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Ryan may just have to take one for the team though…

    On the other hand, I’m certain several potential alternatives to Ryan are being argued too. Maybe Ryan is proposing his own ideas as to optional candidates…
     
  14. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I wouldn’t consider Newt’s terminal degree had much to do with his overall effectiveness as Speaker. Just saying… :smile:
     
  15. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I never said it did.
     
  16. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I suppose the "...his one redeeming quality..." threw me off your meaning somewhat Ted. No harm intended... :smoker:
     
  17. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Funny you should say that. There's no constitutional requirement for the Speaker to be an elected member of the House, so some have advanced his name as a possible compromise candidate, and he's responded that he's open to it. I wouldn't call it likely, but the fact it's even being discussed is a real statement about how dysfunctional the House Republicans are as a caucus.

    Gingrich open to return to Speakership | TheHill
     
  18. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    okay .....
     
  19. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Well, I understand the seduction of power (not that I have any) and I'm sure that there is also a legitimate interest in helping people/the country. But right now, and for the foreseeable future, the congress is stuck in the mud and totally ineffective. I don't follow politics as closely as some but to me it seems like the speaker has no power at all right now and the congress hasn't been able to get out of its own way for quite some time. It seems that being the Speaker at this particular point in time would be an exercise in futility and frustration and would only serve to make you look like a fool.
     
  20. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Demanding times will identify the legitimate competent leader, as well as detect the inept leader. Real leadership will prevail during trying conditions. Conversely with futile leadership, the net outcome as you reference … results in a matching exercise in futility. The genuine leader will unite and resourcefully, directly meet those challenging situations (e.g., complex operations in extreme environments). Imagined leadership will simply fail…
     

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