if 20 republicans decide to break away from R to become D's - can we get control of speaker's chair

[srican69]

right away - or - is there a long process for that to happen?

[JustAnotherGen]

1. I don't think it will happen

Sorry - but it won't.

[srican69]

5. it might not .. but if there is credible threat made - it could be used to goad

the Boehner in the right direction.

[stevenleser]

2. You may get angry responses saying that people don't want more DINOs.

I would be happy if this happens. I think in the senate there have been some restrictions made on this in the senate rules, but I am not sure if there are in the House.

[Mass]

3. Not happening. These 20 Republicans have been steady in voting AGAINST bringing the Senate bill to

the floor.

They may vote for it if the Speaker brings it, but they will not buck their party.

[onehandle]

4. I don't think they could throw him out, but they could overvote him...

...making him an orange lame duck smelling of grandpa's liquor cabinet.

[mikeysnot]

6. If they officially change party affiliation

it would have to wait until the next session I believe.

[BlueCaliDem]

12. Yes. The Speaker is elected

when a new session starts, and I doubt a sudden exodus of Republicans to become Democrats - no matter how large the number - will change that rule.

[HERVEPA]

7. Why in the world do you think they would break away?

[Rochester]

8. It's hard to imagine that many of them switching parties, but...

...there's an outside chance they could be persuaded to back a different speaker, possibly one of themselves. Of course the D's would have to get behind him, too.

[srican69]

10. that would be great too ...that speaker would be beholden to Democrats. NT

[HooptieWagon]

13. One or two might switch, zero chance of 20.

And I doubt House Dems would cooperate with moderate Reps on electing a new Speaker and vice versa. Moderate Reps would be primaried for allying with Dems against teabaggers, and why would Dems give an imploding GOP a life-line? Letting them self-destruct and become more extreme only further helps Dem Party.

[CanonRay]

9. I would never trust any of them. Ever.

[mattclearing]

11. I have a better idea: Beat them next year with real Democrats. n/t

[HooptieWagon]

14. +1000

[hootinholler]

15. An interesting notion. THey don't have to become D

They can become I and caucus with the Ds to have the same effect.

They can also say they will return to the party when sanity has set in, thus not abandoning the republicans but abandoning the TP Koch Bros crazy faction.

[MiniMe]

16. I think they only elect a speaker at the beginning of the new congress

That is every 2 years. And they can vote how they want at that time, they don't have to become D's.