Voting 'present'
What a way to go -- from
The Washington Times:
Boehner elected speaker of the House; Pelosi's support divided
Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio was elected speaker of the House Wednesday in a vote that saw a significant portion of the Democratic caucus vote for someone other than outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Mr. Boehner received 241 votes, all Republicans, to capture the gavel and become third in the line of presidential succession, following only the vice president.
Mrs. Pelosi, meanwhile, received 173 votes, but watched as 19 Democrats from her caucus either opted for another candidate or merely voted "present."
It was the most defections from a party caucus's candidate in at least the last two decades, and underscored the simmering tensions among House Democrats who suffered staggering losses in last year's midterm elections.
Nice to see that 19 Democrats realize that this shift in the wind is more than just a errant zephyr.
Posted by DaveH at January 5, 2011 2:18 PM