Why the House Speaker Fight Is Poised for Chaos

Time: It was supposed to be dignified and orderly. It was supposed to reassure donors and supporters that they’re right to back Republican control of the House. But Speaker John Boehner should’ve known that nothing with his conference has ever been easy, least of all his retirement.

On Thursday, House Republicans are scheduled to gather to elect themselves a new Speaker after Boehner abruptly announced two weeks ago that he plans to retire from Congress at the end of October. Everyone assumed House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy would move up a notch and Boehner would pass the baton. But just as they have made every vote for the last 4.5 years an epic ideological battle, the Tea Party isn’t about to let Boehner go quietly into the night.

Read article