The Race to 218 Republicans

Punchbowl News: “It’s very possible that neither Scalise nor Jordan will be able to attract the support of 218 Republicans. At least that’s the buzz in the senior Republican ranks now. Both men are going to have difficulty in attracting the middle of the House GOP – which, to be clear, vastly outnumbers the hardline Republicans.”

“In other words, the question you should be asking yourself every time you hear some Republican is running for speaker is this: Will Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) vote for this person? If the answer is no, this person probably can’t become speaker.”

“Now we aren’t saying Jordan and Scalise can’t convince these Republicans to vote for them. But we’re a long way from there. We’d be surprised if this leadership race wraps up by next Wednesday, as planned.”