The Gavel
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Hoyer says GOP on its own for Speaker vote
By John Bresnahan; 10/06/15 12:33 PM EDT
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) made clear on Tuesday that Democrats are observing the first rule of politics: when your opponent is screwing up, stand back and let it happen.
At his weekly press conference, Hoyer was asked whether Democrats would side with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) or another GOP hopeful to replace Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) when the House meets on Oct. 29. Hoyer said Democrats are minding their own business amid the Republican infighting and will back Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for the post.
“I think Republicans have to decide this on their own,” Hoyer told reporters. “I don’t think there’s a great role for us to play on this.”
Hoyer went on to joke: “Have you heard me say that the Republican Party is a deeply divided party? I wake up every morning and I read the papers, and it’s like ‘Hoyer’s right.’ But I know a lot of other people are saying it, so it’s not just me.”
When asked whether Democrats would back McCarthy if he couldn’t get 218 votes on the floor — or back one of his GOP challengers, Reps. Jason Chaffetz (Utah) and Daniel Webster (Fla.) instead — Hoyer said Democrats “are certainly thinking about all those things.”
“Clearly, with Pelosi’s name on the ballot, she’ll get the overwhelming majority of all Democrats, I’m sure,” Hoyer said. “She’s indicated that’s what she wants to do. Republicans are going to have to decide on their side what they’re going to do.”
The Maryland Democrat also lamented Boehner’s resignation again, calling it a “loss for the institution and a loss for the country.”
Authors: John Bresnahan jbresnahan@politico.com
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