I didn't know that they "vote" in the Sepaker -- as now on C-Span. So if we

[gateley]

had a majority, Pelosi would win again, right? Is it always straight party voting?

I thought this was all done before -- didn't Boehner actually get sworn in in some closet or something?

[PoliticAverse]

1. You're not the first to claim Boehner's been in the closet... n/t

[gateley]

6. Oh, if only. nt

[badtoworse]

2. As a practical matter, the vote is straight party lines

[gateley]

3. Yeah, duh. I just don't think before I type. Thanks for kindly stating the

obvious. :hi:

[The Wielding Truth]

4. Procedure does leave an opening for a non partisan vote or multiple nominees.

It's an interesting step in democratic rule. It is a neat observation.

[gateley]

5. I'm wondering why there are 16 Other/Present -- could you explain that? Thanks!

[emulatorloo]

7. conservadems?

[littlewolf]

8. those people (now 19) voted for someone other then

Boenher or Pelosi .... or they voted Present ....

[The Wielding Truth]

10. I think that they are the votes for others who reps would like to be leaders.

[former9thward]

9. There is no reqirement the Speaker be a member of Congress.

It has never been done but someone outside of Congress could be voted as Speaker.

[jmowreader]

11. There is a formality to it

Probably 50 years ago--back when we still had smoke-filled rooms--they had real contests to see who was going to be speaker of the House, and then the vote was important. Today, they announce the prospective speaker before the election...everyone knew Boner was going to be Speaker if the R's took the House...but they still have the formal election anyway.