Speaker competition heats up, comes down to 3

The competition for Speaker of the House is rapidly heating up, with candidates already declaring themselves. But the three candidates now in contention are likely to remain the only ones. They include one person technically not in leadership – and one other person not even a member of the House.

Who wants to be Speaker?

The first person many insiders would logically expect to become the next Speaker is Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). As Majority Leader, he actually was the second most powerful Republican in the House – when the House had a Speaker. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who had been Speaker, lost the post when a Motion to Vacate the Chair carried.

But “being next in line” is the only thing Mr. Scalise has to recommend him. It may or may not count against him that Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the Democratic Whip, recommended Scalise. As a more definite strike against him, Daniel Horowitz at The Blaze begs Republicans not to pick the “man next in line” for the sake of picking “the man next in line.” He won’t name a definite name. But he does say Republicans need, in a Speaker, a man at least as ruthless as Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) or Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), or Sen. Charles M. Schumer (D-N.Y.). Steve Scalise’ only claims to fame are:

1. Taking a bullet at a Congressional baseball game, and
2. Carrying a diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma.

But: that Steve Scalise was investigating human trafficking, back when Sound of Freedom was still in production, could help.

Only why won’t Scalise even mention that today? And is Laura Loomer right about Scalise taking money from Bill Gates – and if so, what’s that all about?

Donald Trump in contention?

The next one in contention is Donald J. Trump. Already two Members have placed his name in nomination.

True enough, he is not a member of Congress. In fact scholars can’t even agree whether a non-member is eligible for Speaker – or not. The Congressional Research Service says yes, but in 2015 Diana Schaub, writing in National Review, said no. And even if a non-member is eligible, Rule Twenty-six says any member of House leadership, who finds himself under indictment, must step aside.

However, that is a Republican Conference rule, not an official House Rule. The House Republican Conference could suspend that if it wished. Trump stands under at least four indictments, but those indictments look a lot like bills of attainder.

Last spring, Trump threw cold water on the notion.

But after the Motion to Vacate the Chair carried, Trump posted this:

I am running for President, have a 62 Point lead over Republicans, and am up on Crooked Joe Biden, despite the Democrat Party’s massive Law-fare, Weaponization, and Election Interference efforts, by 4 to 11 Points, but will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made – A Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced President, ME, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

He also posted this retouch of himself wearing a red MAGA hat and holding the Speaker’s gavel aloft.

Dr. Steve Turley almost salivates at the prospect of a Speaker Trump serving Special Counsel Jack Smith – and the Bidens – with a blizzard of embarrassing subpoenas.

Chairman Jordan

Last, but not least, is Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and its Weaponization Subcommittee. On the morning after the vote on the Motion to Vacate, Jordan announced his candidacy, with a letter to colleagues.

He is also the founding Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, according to talk-show host Joe Messina. Jordan has the endorsement of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who filed the Motion to Vacate, reminded everyone he endorsed Jordan back in January.

If Daniel Horowitz wants a ruthless Speaker, he’d be hard-pressed to recommend anyone more ruthless than Jordan. Jordan has made a name for himself on his Committee and Subcommittee. Democratic Members of both Committees have helped him without meaning to, with some of their breathtakingly inane pronouncements during hearings. And if Dr. Steve Turley wants someone who will slap Democrats with subpoenas, Jim Jordan will do that, too. He’s been doing it, and sometimes getting results without it. Witness Elvis Chan, and ex-head Twitter mod Yoel Roth.

Yesterday he told CNN he was against any more aid packages for Ukraine, according to Daily Wire News. That will give him a point against Scalise, who supports such aid.

Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) told Newsmax’ Eric Bolling that Jordan has “an 80-% chance” of becoming Speaker. That, according to The Daily Caller.