It’s Official. Gaetz Files His “Motion To Vacate The Chair.” Hakeem Jeffries Is Now The Kingmaker

Oh. My. God. The stupid sh*t actually did it. MSNBC just reported that Fratty Matty Gaetz has officially filed the papers to call for a House motion to Vacate the Chair to boot Current Squeaker cave-In McCarthy. And in doing so made House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries the most powerful man in the House.

In fact, Gaetz had already made Jeffries the shadow Speaker in the humiliating way he treated McCarthy on his way to the Speaker’s chair. Gaetz made it crystal clear that the Freedom Caucus wasn’t there to support McCarthy and his governing vision. McCarthy was there to fetch whenever Gaetz threw him a stick. Failure to comply could have him banished to the garage.

So of course McCarthy tried to please two masters. He let Gaetz have his way, while still trying to govern effectively. Which had the expected results. And by being a total *sshole, Gaetz only left McCarthy one alternative when it was crunch time. The Democrats.

The first time, on the debt ceiling, McCarthy tried negotiating with Biden on behalf of the Freedom Caucus. And got his ass handed to him. Biden was like a grandfather saying, Here kid, pull on my finger. And that fart was about all McCarthy got out of the deal. For the government shutdown, McCarthy swears that he didn’t negotiate with the Democrats. I’m sure he didn’t. He didn’t have to. Just provide a clean continuing resolution, provide half his caucus, and let the Democrats do the rest. And take all the credit.

And now Gaetz wants to punish his whipped dog. And so he’s officially filed the papers to put a motion on the floor to vacate the Speakers chair. And while Gaetz literally doesn’t know whether to sh*t, go blind, or wind his watch, he has literally made House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries the most powerful man in congress. Here’s why.

There’s only one way this can go for Gaetz, but an incredible range of options for Jeffries. Matt Gaetz needs to have a minimum of five votes go his way to vacate the Chair. And if that happens, then Gaetz is boned, since he has no replacement. But even those five votes may not do it.

Pop Quiz! How many votes Kevin McCarthy receive to be elected Speaker of the House? A: 215. That’s right, not 218, 215.Because the winning total is dependent on the total number of votes cast. 50% +1 of 435 is 218. But in round 15 in January, six GOP members voted Present, lowering the threshold to 215, which is exactly what McCarthy got.

If Gaetz in fact only has five votes to get across the finish line, there’s nothing to keep two McCarthy loyalists to vote present to lower the threshold once again for McCarthy. Or, if you want to get really Machiavellian, Jeffries can provide the minimum number of present votes and make McCarthy his rump Speaker. Better the scumbag you know than the one you don’t.

I hate that idea, for just that reason. we already know that McCarthy is a spineless, sniveling Wormtongue. McCarthy came into congress in the Tea Party, then ditched them like a bad habit for advancement. Then he sold out his conservative base making humiliating deals with Gaetz to get the Speakers gavel. Then he reneged on his agreements with Gaetz when it was convenient. What makes anybody think that he wouldn’t stab Jeffries and the Democrats in the back the moment he has the chance?

Sit back and let this play itself out. Gaetz has already indicated that he’ll keep pulling this lame sh*t until he gets it right. Meanwhile the 45 day clock is ticking. And if Gaetz actually succeeds, then Jeffries truly is the kingmaker.

Because just as back in January, if the Speakers Chair is vacant, no congressional business can be conducted until there is a new Speaker. Gaetz has nobody who can get 218 votes, and if they could, they wouldn’t want it. A loyalist of McCarthy is going to nominate him again, and let the vote-o-rama begin. Every Democrat votes in lock-step for Jeffries, and once again bring in the popcorn.

The pressure will build on the GOP, and quickly. Once you get past about 30 days, there isn’t much left possible but for another continuing resolution. And guess who will be called upon to provide the critical votes? If there’s a Speaker.

The dream result would be, of course, would be for all 212 Democrats vote for Jeffries and have six GOP incumbents vote present, which could make 212 a winning ballot for Jeffries. The more likely is that as the ballots wear on, a small group of GOP moderates make a quiet approach to Jeffries with the names of a couple of trustworthy moderates that Democrats could join the moderate base in supporting in return for a power sharing arrangement. Things like reforming the Rules Committee, and allowing Democrats to propose legislation to be voted to the floor.

If Gaetz actually goes through with this sh*t show, he is literally creating a Vietnam style quagmire for the House GOP. McCarthy will be out, but Gaetz has nobody to replace him with, and no way to get to 218. McCarthy will continue to appear on every ballot, thumbing his nose at Gaetz. And while Gaetz may enjoy the chaos, there are a sh*tload of vulnerable moderates in swing districts that can’t afford this bullsh*t. Things will have to come to a head sooner or later, likely sooner, and it isn’t Matt Gaetz who holds the keys to the Pearly Gates, it’s Hakeem Jeffries. To the victor go the spoils.