Boehner Is Speaker, But 19 Democrats Vote Against Pelosi

Ohio's John Boehner has been elected speaker of the House for the 112th Congress.

That part was not a surprise. Republicans will overwhelmingly control the chamber.

But what was noteworthy was that 19 Democrats voted for candidates other than Nancy Pelosi, the outgoing speaker and now the minority leader.

A dozen Democrats voted for Heath Shuler of North Carolina, a Blue Dog who announced a quixotic challenge to Pelosi. That was probably more than expected. Plus, two voted for John Lewis of Georgia. Jim Costa voted for his California colleague, Dennis Cardoza -- and vice versa. One vote each for Ohio's Marcy Kaptur and Maryland's Steny Hoyer. And one Democrat voted present.

The biggest surprise, at least to me? Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona not voting for Pelosi (she picked Lewis).

The final vote was Boehner 241, Pelosi 173, others/present 19.