Speakerwatch: Dissent Rises

As many predicted, opposition to John Boehner remaining Speaker of the House is growing. Just today, Marlin Stutzman, Dave Brat (who ousted former majority leader Eric Cantor in 2014 primary, and Steve King.

Before now, opposition was the usual suspects of GOP Rebels like Thomas Massie, Louie Gohmert, Ted Yoho and company. The presence of Steve King is a positive sign for dissenters. King (R-IA) is one of the few open dissenters who is not a member of Justin Amash's Liberty Caucus. His move to the opposition signals a potentially stronger rebellion than seen in 2013.

The vote is tomorrow. There are sure to be more House Republicans officially declaring their opposition to Boehner by then, with nine already in the camp. While it may be a small rebellion, it's already appearing to be stronger than the 2013 attempt, bad news for Boehner.

Speakerwatch: A Challenger

With opposition to John Boehner growing daily, the burning question of his replacement has filled the air. The strategy of the opposition in 2013 was not to unite behind any one particular candidate, but simply get enough votes against Boehner to force another ballot.

Ideally, a challenger would eventually arise, Boehner would concede, and there would be a new Speaker. The lack of a figure to unite behind in 2013 may have contributed to the failure of the rebellion.

A challenger has arrived: Louie Gohmert (R-TX) has officially announced his challenge to John Boehner. 

Gohmert is one of the growing contingent of liberty Republicans in the House of Representatives, and a member of the House Liberty Caucus. 

The Speaker election should resemble another attempt by Liberty Republicans: Raul Labrador for Majority Leader. While the past two power struggles were in favor of establishment Republicans, the climate favors the conservatives.