The fact something like this hasn't happened, even after 10-11(?) - we're all losing track at this point - failed votes, yet *still* isn't considered a realistic option, and likely won't happen at all, tells you everything you need to know about these notional "moderate Republicans."
And look, it doesn't have to be Hakeem Jeffries, though Mr. Jeffries demonstrated ability to hold the unanimous support of House Democrats over a series of votes (winning more than McCarthy on every ballot) makes him strongly qualified.
It can be a non-ideological alternative.
It can be a moderate Republican.
It can be the very most conservative Democrat in the entire House.
It can be an Independent.
It can be someone who's not even a current member of Congress, but has tons of legislative experience: a category of ex-lawmakers of which there's now a deep, deep bench, thanks to the internal changes and, frankly, purges that have wrenched the Republican Party (Liz Cheney anyone?).
The Constitution imposes few real constraints on who can be Speaker of the House. So, there are solutions. There are tons of solutions.
And based on the stated position of hard-right MAGA Republicans going into these House Speaker votes, Moderate Republicans saw this coming. Yet they had no back-up plan. And they still don't.
Unless and until these so-called "Moderate Republicans" stand up and assert their own agency as a real political force in the House, they'll reap what they sow: Their exposure as puppets of far-right MAGA refuseniks.
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