Now this is a plot twist straight out of a novel, but think it through. This is not the least implausible and it would work to the advantage of all parties involved. Seldom do you get win/win situations in politics, but this is one of those times.
The Speaker of the House doesn’t need to be a sitting House member, although that is usually the way things go. There was even insane dialogue for a while about Donald Trump becoming Speaker when the Republicans retook the chamber.
Here’s the lay of the land. Kevin McCarthy is under siege. Andy Biggs is out to topple him, Matt Gaetz is helping Biggs along. Gaetz just shared “breaking news” with Steve Bannon, that he has seven additional Republicans who intend to vote against McCarthy.
Ergo, McCarthy could be on his way out and Biggs on his way in.
But: what if a combination of Republicans and Democrats voted for Liz Cheney to become House Speaker? This is doable. This is not only doable, it would keep Cheney in politics for the next two years, and also give her what she wants, a higher profile that would assist in her aspirations to national office.
Think about it. Cheney is respected by Democrats and by normal, read non-MAGA, Republicans. Cheney represents respectability and the old school wing of the GOP. In her position as Speaker, she would be able to restore some normalcy to the party, at least in theory, and she would be a tempering factor, keeping the far-right rabble of the party from burning it all down.
Democrats would love this idea for a lot of reasons, not the least of which that it would be a gigantic FU to Donald Trump and his followers, who have so reviled both Cheney, Adam Kingzinger, and any other sane Republican who has stood up for the constitution and the rule of law, after Trump’s treacherous January 6 excesses.
This is not original thinking on my part. Do you want to know who has already thought about this? Would you believe, Marjorie Taylor Greene? This was back in November, on Steve Bannon’s show, when Greene revealed that she was supporting Kevin McCarthy. Axios:
What they’re saying: “I actually think that’s a bad strategy when we’re looking at having a very razor-thin majority, with potentially 219 [seats], we’re talking about one vote,” Greene said on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast in response to reports of a speaker challenge by House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).
- Greene warned that some moderate Republicans could join forces with Democrats and elect outgoing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) — a fierce Trump critic who lost her GOP primary as a result of her impeachment vote — to the speaker position, which requires 218 votes.
- “We’ve already been through two years where we saw Republicans — Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger — cross over and join the Democrats and produce a Jan. 6 committee,” Greene said.
- “The danger is this, do we want to watch a challenge for Speaker of the House simply because the ‘Never Kevin’ movement — just like we’ve seen a ‘Never Trump” movement — do we want to see that challenge open the door to Nancy Pelosi handing the gavel to Liz Cheney?”
This is not outside the realm of possibility, not in the least. And if the sane Republicans, assuming that there still are some, in the House decided to do this, it would quash the far-right MAGAs and it would be a path to returning to some kind of a normal GOP — which is why Marge Greene doesn’t want it, because there is no place for her in politics except in a broken system which allows for performative antics and non stop vulgarity in lieu of governance.
Think about it. It’s not that far fetched. It could really happen. It’s one of a variety of possibilities that are on the table right now.
From your lips…er…fingers to the Almighty to right some wrongs. Time to overcome evil with good! Liz is scary given her past voting record, but at this moment in the river, better to avoid the more severe rapids.
Liz Cheney as Speaker would be a nightmare, albeit a different one than the MAGAts promise. Hopefully, the “moderate” republicans can offer someone more palatable to the majority of democrats. We have no idea what machinations are going on behind the scenes, but I would think Pelosi has gamed out several scenarios and is marshalling her people to support the most possible.
I have disagreed with every vote Liz Cheney ever cast, but at least she is on the side of democracy vs. autocracy and preserving our way of life. This isn’t a conversation we would have been having at all ten years ago, talking this way about somebody with her voting record, but we are in uncharted waters here. I sincerely would rather see her hold the gavel than McCarthy. McCarthy is spineless and stupid. Cheney is neither.
Whatever happens, it’s worth pointing out that the largest single united voting block in the house is the Democrats. It only takes 5 sane Republicans to come across and (D) is the majority.
No longer ‘Democrats in Disarray’, now it’s ‘The Unruly Republicans’.
You’re right but I don’t see that scenario happening. Although, as nuts as things are nowadays, maybe we shouldn’t rule out anything. I certainly never thought Matt Gaetz was going to lead a coup d’etat or Rick Scott try to knife McConnell.
I’m all for Liz Cheney becoming the Speaker. She’s smart, articulate and has a good heart. She was awesome as Co-Chair on the J6 Committee! I hope that is a consideration! She’d be great!
I believe Larry Hogan would be a FAR easier sell for bipartisanship than Liz Cheney.
Another name mentioned was Fred Upton. He would be a lot better than McCarthy as well.
Other than what a literal nightmare DJT is, on what issues does Liz Cheney agree with “us”?
You have just exhausted them. That’s it. But better somebody who believes in democracy first and foremost than a power grubber like McCarthy who believes in nothing but power.