Is the Republican House really in chaos?

By Rob Janicki

I've previously written about what, on the surface, appears to be a chaotic debacle in the House over choosing a new Speaker of the House.  Now I'm having second thoughts about characterizing the search for John Boehner's replacement as a chaotic debacle.  I now want to think of it as a compelling opportunity for an act of statesmanship by all House Republicans.  Am I asking for too much?  Probably, but, if you don't set the bar at a high level you are only assured of coming in with something second best, which no one will be able to live with going forward.

The more I think about the Republican search for a new Speaker of the House, the more I believe what we are seeing is actually a healthy political process.  When compared to what we are seeing in the Democratic Party's march to crown the most corrupt woman in American political history as their standard bearer, the House Republicans have, within their grasp, the opportunity to exercise a reasonable result in selecting a new Speaker and not just someone as a place holder to keep the seat warm for a "real" Speaker.

The question is whether Republicans of all political perspectives can actually come together to find a strong and resilient individual with the patience of Job that can work effectively with all the many disparate elements within the Republican Party.

Obviously, Paul Ryan does not want the Speaker's position, or he would have relented by now and accepted his political fate.  Ryan has previously and steadfastly refused all entreaties to accept the Speaker's position.  Perhaps it's time we take Paul Ryan at his word and move on in the selection process.

We've heard quite a bit of talk about the nondescript Daniel Webster of Florida as an interim consolation candidate for the Speaker's position.  My thought is simple.  Why should a "seat warmer" be elevated to a position of such importance?  Is kicking the can down the road the way to eventually solve this perplexing issue before the Republican House members?  The real test for House Republicans is whether they can get down and get the job done to find a compromise solution.

Now, with all that said, could I throw out a name that has had only a little recognition, but has sterling credentials?  I'm thinking of Congressman Mike Pompeo of the 4th congressional district of Kansas.  Why Pompeo, you ask?

Pompeo attended the U.S. Military Academy where he majored in Mechanical Engineering, graduating first in his class in 1986 and subsequently serving in the Regular Army as an Armor Branch cavalry officer from 1986 to 1991.  He subsequently graduated from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He then worked as a lawyer for Williams & Connolly.

Pompeo founded Thayer Aerospace. In 2006 he sold his interest in Thayer (which was renamed Nex-Tech Aerospace). He became the President of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment company.

Pompeo has served in the House since 2011 and, among other committee assignments, is on the House Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi.  Watch for Pompeo on Thursday as he and Trey Gowdy begin their interrogation of Hillary Clinton and her Benghazi coverup and email scandal.  

For more on Pompeo's solid conservative bonafides visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pompeo