'Total disarray': Republicans urged to 'get their act together' after Steve Scalise drops House speaker bid

13 October 2023

Only a day after House Republicans nominated him for speaker, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) announced that he was dropping out of the race. Scalise, realizing that he didn't have enough support to reach the 217 votes needed for confirmation in a full House vote, decided that it was pointless to continue.

Scalise's announcement comes during a major foreign crisis. According to NBC News, more than 2700 people have been killed in the Israel-Hamas War — including at least 1300 deaths in Israel and over 1400 deaths in Gaza. The conflict started on Saturday, October 7 when Hezbollah launched a vicious terrorist attack against Israel.

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough and others have had a lot to say about Scalise's decision to end his speaker bid. During a "Morning Joe" broadcast on October 13, the Never Trump conservative and former GOP congressman warned that it's dangerous for the House to be without a speaker when war is raging in both Ukraine and the Middle East.

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Scarborough said of Republicans, "They need to get their act together in the House…. It is inexplicable…. It's an irresponsibility. It's a lack of leadership….. There is a hot war in the Middle East. There is a hot war in the middle of Europe."

The conservative Scarborough went on to praise former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California), saying, "Nancy Pelosi (knew) how to run her caucus…. This is one of the most dangerous times in recent history."

"Morning Joe's" other host, liberal Mika Brzezinski, interjected that the House's GOP majority has become an "even bigger mess."

On X, formerly Twitter, attorney Neal Katyal — former acting solicitor general in the Obama Administration — said of Scalise's announcement, "This Party wants to govern America, yet they can't even govern themselves. Steve Scalise drops speaker bid."

HuffPost's Arthur Delaney tweeted, "Republicans in total disarray after Steve Scalise gives up his bid for speaker."

Politico's Olivia Beavers, on X, reported that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) also "appears" to have a "math problem" if Republicans nominate him for speaker. "Hearing from multiple House Rs who say they are a 'hard no' or a 'likely no" on him," Beavers said of Jordan.

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-California) tweeted, "They are dropping like flies. All we need are 5 Republicans to get the country back on track."

On X, self-described "anti-MAGA" Democrat R.B. Roberts posted, "Does this mean there's nothing in the US Constitution to remedy an inept house at a time like this? This indecision sabotages government. Democrats are functional. Democrats will get things going again with the help of at least 10 Republicans. Get Hakeem!"

Pundit Greg Santos, on X, said of Republicans, "I don’t think that governing well is high on their list of priorities. In fact, it seems their plan is to grind government to a halt at any cost to the American people.

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