If you aren’t aware, the House of Representatives is still without a Speaker. And after the last successful nomination, it looks like that will be the case for a good while longer.
On Tuesday, House Republicans nominated House Majority Whip Tom Emmer to be the new Speaker. As Politico reported, he won the nomination, 117 to 97, against Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson. Five others voted for other names, and one voted present.
TALLY
Emmer-117
Johnson-97
Others: 5
Present: 1 https://t.co/RPFKlcwf74— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) October 24, 2023
However, the news of Emmer winning the nomination and possibly becoming the new Speaker evidently isn’t sitting well with plenty of Americans, as well as House members.
For example, please take a look at New York Representative Elise Stefanik’s post made to her X account congratulating Emmer. More particularly, look at the many comments made on it.
Congratulations Speaker-designate @GOPMajorityWhip!
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) October 24, 2023
Even the quickest of glances shows that, by and far, most are not in agreement that Emmer is the man for the job.
Several replied with a simple “No thanks.” Others remarked they were “done with the Republican party.” Other posts showed a range from clearly disgusted to questioning what the party was thinking.
To be sure, most were not positive.
The same could be said of comments being made on a post from Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman, who posted Emmer’s less-than-conservative voting record. According to this, he’s more of a RINO than anything, voting for same-sex marriage, to certify the 2020 election, and for support of Ukraine.
Here's how all the speaker candidates voted on key votes over the last few years.
from @PunchbowlNews AMhttps://t.co/ec4I0rQQnJ pic.twitter.com/MRyITTJnWz
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 23, 2023
Naturally, the public agreed.
And that brings us to question how in the world a man like Emmer is ever going to get the 217 votes required to actually win the speakership when it’s put on the floor in the coming days.
I mean, Steven Scalise, a man who also won a nomination and is much more well-liked overall, let alone in MAGA and conservative circles, couldn’t get it. Neither could Jim Jordan, who even has the support and endorsement of former President Donald Trump himself.
And now, Emmer is going to try?
If you haven’t heard, Trump is none too happy about Emmer’s nomination, either.
On Tuesday, after learning of his nomination, Trump took to his Truth Social account to blast the GOP for letting this happen and warning just how bad things could be should Emmer be actually voted in.
As Trump explained, Emmer never understood or respected the MAGA movement, fighting Trump “all the way.” He even “spent more time defending Ilhan Omar than he did me.”
For Trump and many others, this means that Emmer is not all that in touch with American voters. Neither can he be trusted just because he suddenly says he’s “Pro-Trump all the way.” Trump asks, “Has he only changed because that’s what it takes to win?”
Trump also says that Emmer in the Speakership would “be a tragic mistake.”
As I said, there’s no way Emmer could win the votes needed, at least not without making a deal with the Democrats…
