Randomguy Posted January 6 Share #1 Posted January 6 ...and don't make this a "this party" or "that party" thing. Why the huge push to be speaker, why is this so damn important for this one individual? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted January 6 Share #2 Posted January 6 No idea. <biting my tongue on any other additions to this convo> 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted January 6 Share #3 Posted January 6 Because the Speaker gets to say, "Who's your daddy (or mommy), now?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted January 6 Share #4 Posted January 6 Kevin McCarthy has dedicated his political career to reach this pinnacle. His pursuit of this goal has blinded him to the fact that this is not a good decision at this point in time. He will, one day in the future, realize he was really dumb at this point of his life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #5 Posted January 6 We need another Sam Rayburn. After the era of strong Speakers, committee chairs reasserted influence in the chamber, forcing later Speakers to change how they used the office. In the middle of the 20th century, the longest-serving Speaker in House history, Sam Rayburn of Texas, took the exact opposite stance as Cannon. “The old days of pounding on the desk and giving people hell are gone,” Rayburn said. “A man’s got to lead by persuasion and kindness and the best reason—that’s the only way he can lead people.” Later, larger party organizations wielded the greatest power. When 1970s reforms limited committee power, the authority of House Speakers re-emerged as the coordination and timing of legislation gained greater importance. Power flowed back to the House Floor from committee room 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #6 Posted January 6 https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1851-1900/Speaker-of-the-House-Sam-Rayburn-of-Texas/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted January 6 Share #7 Posted January 6 One of the congressional office buildings is named for ol Sam Rayburn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #8 Posted January 6 10 minutes ago, Parsnip Totin Jack said: One of the congressional office buildings is named for ol Sam Rayburn. Lots of stuff in Texas is named for Mister Sam https://www.thc.texas.gov/blog/sam-rayburn-history-mr-speaker-and-his-legacy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby ★ Posted January 6 Share #9 Posted January 6 I believe among other things, the Speaker appoints people to committees which can have significant impact. Consequently, I expect that means a lot of people owe you and gives you more clout in pursuing your agenda/causes. This "power" probably helps you win re-election because people in your district like having someone Powerful to help causes that benefit the local district. ETA: Per Wikipedia the Speaker also makes almost $50K more than a regular representative, but I expect it's more about the ability to control bills on the floor and promote your causes than the raise. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted January 6 Share #10 Posted January 6 I honestly have no clue. I keep seeing people post memes on the facebooks about it and I just don't understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #11 Posted January 6 4 minutes ago, Kirby said: I believe among other things, the Speaker appoints people to committees which can have significant impact. Consequently, I expect that means a lot of people owe you and gives you more clout in pursuing your agenda/causes. This "power" probably helps you win re-election because people in your district like having someone Powerful to help causes that benefit the local district. Quid Pro Quo as it were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 6 Share #12 Posted January 6 IMO the speaker also acts to schedule votes on bills. He can fast track yours or put it in his desk drawer for a couple of years. That's a lot of power. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #13 Posted January 6 Just now, Parr8hed said: I honestly have no clue. I keep seeing people post memes on the facebooks about it and I just don't understand. The speaker is like the consigliere brokering peace between the families as it were. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted January 6 Share #14 Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Randomguy said: ...and don't make this a "this party" or "that party" thing. Why the huge push to be speaker, why is this so damn important for this one individual? You get a bigger table for the money to be passed under it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #15 Posted January 6 1 minute ago, JerrySTL said: You get a bigger table for the money to be passed under it. and I think you have to kiss his or her ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 6 Share #16 Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Randomguy said: Help me out here... NEVER! Well, not until you admit to all that weird perverted stuff you do in the basement of that pizza place. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted January 6 Author Share #17 Posted January 6 31 minutes ago, Parr8hed said: I honestly have no clue. I keep seeing people post memes on the facebooks about it and I just don't understand. It has been my experience that people who desperately seek out power are completely unfit to wield it. This will not end well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted January 6 Share #18 Posted January 6 1 minute ago, Randomguy said: It has been my experience that people who desperately seek out power are completely unfit to wield it. This will not end well. Are you referring to @jsharr being a moderator here? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 6 Share #19 Posted January 6 1 minute ago, Parr8hed said: Are you referring to @jsharr being a moderator here? I do not want to be moderated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted January 6 Share #20 Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Randomguy said: ...and don't make this a "this party" or "that party" thing. Why the huge push to be speaker, why is this so damn important for this one individual? Insider trading is permitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted January 6 Share #21 Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Randomguy said: ...and don't make this a "this party" or "that party" thing. Why the huge push to be speaker, why is this so damn important for this one individual? So business can be held in the house. W/o a speaker no one can be sworn in and no voting on bills & such can happen. Like not having quroum at a bike club meeting. I don't think it be a bad idea to not have a speaker for awhile. This way they can't fuck things up more. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted January 6 Share #22 Posted January 6 10 minutes ago, Randomguy said: It has been my experience that people who desperately seek out power are completely unfit to wield it. This will not end well. Totally agree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted January 6 Share #23 Posted January 6 1 hour ago, jsharr said: We need another Sam Rayburn. After the era of strong Speakers, committee chairs reasserted influence in the chamber, forcing later Speakers to change how they used the office. In the middle of the 20th century, the longest-serving Speaker in House history, Sam Rayburn of Texas, took the exact opposite stance as Cannon. “The old days of pounding on the desk and giving people hell are gone,” Rayburn said. “A man’s got to lead by persuasion and kindness and the best reason—that’s the only way he can lead people.” Later, larger party organizations wielded the greatest power. When 1970s reforms limited committee power, the authority of House Speakers re-emerged as the coordination and timing of legislation gained greater importance. Power flowed back to the House Floor from committee room Yup, sounds like the power oscillates like AC power! I read an article recently that said Newt Gingrich made the speaker position a lot more powerful and that Nancy Pelosi had the most power ever and was not afraid to use it. The gist of the article was maybe it's snot a bad thing if some power goes back to committees. So basically we are watching snausage being made. And Sam's brother Gene had a pretty good career too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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