110th Congress -- Election of Speaker begins

Karen Haas, the new clerk of the United States House of Representatives has just announced the beginning of election procedings for the new Speaker. At the announcement the House breaks into cheers and the Honorable Nancy Pelosi accepts greetings in light of a foregone conclusion that she will be elected.

Following this, the Honorable Rahm Emmanuel, member of Congress officially nominates Ms. Pelosi, and there are more greetings and hugs, and sustained, loud applause accompanied by some cheering.

Then, the Honorable Adam Putnam, member of Congress from Florida nominates John A Boehner. Following this is much less applause and a much shorter period of greeting.

The tellers are called forward.

Although dignified and exciting everything appears done according to a script. That should not come as a surprise to anyone. This is a feature of two-party control of Congress.

Congress members now have the ballots -- large paper ballots which they are perusing at their desks.

To be continued.