The Conservative Cave

Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: CG6468 on September 03, 2013, 02:50:36 PM

Title: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: CG6468 on September 03, 2013, 02:50:36 PM: We need to change things regarding those positions being given to the most senior members. They should be elected positions, preferably by the voters, but certainly by the house or senate.

Agree?

Diasgree?
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: Dori on September 03, 2013, 02:56:05 PM: I thought they were elected by the members of each chamber.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: CG6468 on September 03, 2013, 02:57:54 PM: Quote from: Dori on September 03, 2013, 02:56:05 PM
I thought they were elected by the members of each chamber.

You may be correct. But it always goes to the senior member of those chambers. That's just not right.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: Eupher on September 03, 2013, 03:51:43 PM: Quote from: CG6468 on September 03, 2013, 02:57:54 PM
You may be correct. But it always goes to the senior member of those chambers. That's just not right.

No, that's not right.

The party that is in control of the House (currently the Republican party) will have an election within itself. From that election, a Speaker emerges.

The Speaker need not be the senior member of the party, but will obviously be one with a great deal of seniority within the party.

For example, Nancy Pelosi (elected to Congress in 1987) had shorter seniority than did Ike Skelton (1976), but was elected as Speaker in 2006.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: CG6468 on September 03, 2013, 04:18:47 PM: Thanks, Eupher. It definitely needs fixing.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: NHSparky on September 04, 2013, 08:14:42 AM: Quote from: CG6468 on September 03, 2013, 02:57:54 PM
You may be correct. But it always goes to the senior member of those chambers. That's just not right.

Not necessarily true.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: redwhit on September 05, 2013, 11:26:32 AM: If memory serves, there's no provision that the Speaker be a member of the House of Representatives.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: Crazy Horse on September 05, 2013, 11:43:12 AM: Quote from: redwhit on September 05, 2013, 11:26:32 AM
If memory serves, there's no provision that the Speaker be a member of the House of Representatives.

We have a winner
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: Eupher on September 05, 2013, 11:45:41 AM: Quote from: Crazy Horse on September 05, 2013, 11:43:12 AM
We have a winner

Do you know of any time in the history of the Speakership that a Speaker was OTHER than a member of the House?
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: redwhit on September 06, 2013, 09:43:12 AM: Quote from: Eupher on September 05, 2013, 11:45:41 AM
Do you know of any time in the history of the Speakership that a Speaker was OTHER than a member of the House?

Nope, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Would make things interesting, don't you think? Can you imagine Huckabee as the speaker now? Or Newt? Limbaugh?
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: Eupher on September 06, 2013, 10:08:17 AM: Quote from: redwhit on September 06, 2013, 09:43:12 AM
Nope, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Would make things interesting, don't you think? Can you imagine Huckabee as the speaker now? Or Newt? Limbaugh?

Okay, I'll go with you on the remotest possibility that "it can happen" but that's like saying Barry could possibly become a member of the Libertarian Party after he leaves office.

IOW, NFW.
Title: Re: Speakers of the House and Senate
Post by: redwhit on September 06, 2013, 10:33:59 AM: Quote from: Eupher on September 06, 2013, 10:08:17 AM
Okay, I'll go with you on the remotest possibility that "it can happen" but that's like saying Barry could possibly become a member of the Libertarian Party after he leaves office.

IOW, NFW.

Oh, yeah, I have no illusions that it will happen, especially not with the egotistical blowhards we elect these days. It's just an interesting oddity but it's fun to dream.