Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) got his vote for Speaker, he missed getting a majority by 20 votes He got another vote the following day, and missed a majority by 22 votes.
After digesting the message his colleagues sent, Jordan concluded he would back the idea of empowering the temporary speaker for 90 days. Thus the House can enact legislation supported by substantial number of both major parties.
Jordan has not taken his name out of contention for the speakership, merely postponed the next election by 90 days. It gives him time to either round up a majority or decide to take his name out of contention.
I believe modestly (and temporarily) empowering the acting Speaker is an idea that will receive a majority vote of the House. We'll know soon.
This is an interesting time when both major parties are split, albeit on different issues. Dems are split on the issue of unconditional support for Israel in its war on Hamas and on the amount of green policy they can stomach. GOPs are split on the support for Ukraine and on the issue of populist nationalism vs. corporate globalism.
What unifies each party is the clear notion that they won't vote for the other party's candidate for Speaker.
Later … Some sources are writing - in the last hour or so - that another vote on Speaker may be held soon, contrary to the above scenario. What prompts these reports, other than leaks, is unknown.
Even later still ... I was obviously wrong in paragraph 4 above. Politico reports the GOP in the House has dropped the idea of empowering temporary speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry. Where does this leave them? Up the creek, with no paddle.
