Each speaker of the House scramble invites speculation around the fact that the speaker of the House doesn’t need to be an elected House member. Now that House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is reportedly mulling the idea of retirement, that tired cocktail conversation will begin again. Inevitably at every happy hour, there will be some staffer reminding everyone that the Constitution is silent on the issue and that “it could totally happen.”
While it’s impossible to say who will pick up the gavel in the end, it’s very possible to say who definitely shouldn’t be considered. Without further delay, here is an impartial list of the eleven Americans who should be at the bottom of the list.
Speaker Roy Moore
Even if he ever concedes the Alabama Senate race to Doug Jones, Moore should still be a no.
Speaker Chris Christie
He belongs at the beach, not Congress.
Speaker Alex Jones
The congressional cafeteria would start serving lead-tainted health supplements.
Speaker Paul Manafort
The plush Persian rugs would be an upgrade to the speaker’s office. The direct line to Russia would not.
Speaker Aaron Schock
Just like Manafort, Schock has a taste for the finer, not the ethical, things in life.
Speaker Al Franken
The House already had one creep as speaker from 1999 to 2007. It doesn’t need another.
Speaker Blake Farenthold
(See above)
Speaker Tim Murphy
(See above)
Speaker James Comey
The job would take him from his secret Twitter and publicity tour.
Speaker Eric Cantor
The young gun makes a better lobbyist than leader.
Speaker Michael Flynn
No speaker of the House should ever lie to the vice president.
