@binaryhawk The problem that people don't appreciate is that this isn't merely about the individual Speaker but about the entire structure of the operation of the chamber, with everything from rules of procedure through committee assignments at stake.

So they don't merely have to agree on a Speaker. They would have to also agree on a division of committee assignments that would get more votes to one party or another, one faction or another, and that is unlikely to all happen on a bipartisan basis.

I don't think it's likely at all that Democrats would allow the Republicans to maintain their committee control because that kind of compromise comes with some pretty serious effects.