The Speaker of the House Problem

Republicans control the House of Representatives, but they haven’t been able to agree among themselves as to whom they should elect as Speaker. Given the critical position of the Speaker in our political system, this is an unprecedented disaster. Congress is paralyzed. Our country is humiliated. The situation could be almost instantly reversed if only five or six Republican members of the House united with Democrats to choose a Speaker. One of these responsible Republicans could be the new Speaker.

These Republicans who chose Country over Party would incur the wrath of Republicans who boost or tolerate Trump and his like. That is to say that they would be heroes. If such a handful of responsible Republican members of the House can’t be found, prospects for our country are grimmer than they appear to be.