What are the odds for a coalition selecting the Speaker?

[hedgehog]

Can you see some conservative Dems lining up with some Republicans to select a Speaker?

[Mass]

1. Low. You need somebody who is done with politics, is acceptable to Democrats, and is able to do the

job. The main problem is that every Republican who wants to avoid a Tea Party challenge will not go for this, so you would need more than a few conservative Democrats to go to 218.

Obviously, this would be the sane solution, but the GOP is nowhere close to being sane these days.

[hedgehog]

2. I misread your first word as LOL!

I tend to agree with your post.

[HooptieWagon]

3. Almost zero.

Any moderate republican compromising with Democrats is going to be targeted in the primary by the tea-baggers. Plus, why should Dems help the GOP? Why not let them expose themselves as rabid incompetent extremists? When the opposition is engaging in a circular firing squad, get out of the way!

[jwirr]

4. Not any time soon. First they will watch them sink.