Choose Own Speaker

The United States Constitution, Article I.2.5, provides, "The House of Representatives shall choose its own Speaker to preside over its proceedings." This provision gives the House of Representatives the Right to direct its own affairs. The Speaker of the House is chosen by the majority party. Once a Speaker is chosen, that person holds that position as long as he or she remains in the House of Representatives and as long as his or her party holds the majority of seats in the House. The Speaker of the House holds considerable political power: 1) Supervises the daily business of the House. 2) Decides which members will be chosen to speak. 3) Appoints the members of the various conference committees. 4) Can vacate the chair when desiring to debate an issue or cast a vote. 5) Follows the Vice President in line of succession to be President. This last item of political power almost guarantees that no one will attempt to assassinate President Obama. Surely no one wants Vice President Biden to become President - and definitely not Speaker of the House Pelosi!