U.S.THE INTERVIEW

Hakeem Jeffries is closer than ever to the speaker's gavel

Recent polling shows Democrats unexpectedly competitive in battleground races ahead of November, potentially positioning Jeffries to become speaker if his party gains House control.

On air: Gloria Vance on Weekend Edition
Published 7:40 AM ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Washington Examiner: “Hakeem Jeffries is closer than ever to the speaker’s gavel. Is he ready?”
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 7:40 AM ET on Weekend Edition, by Gloria Vance.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Washington ExaminerHakeem Jeffries is closer than ever to the speaker’s gavel. Is he ready?

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, is closer to the speaker's gavel than he has been, with polling widening the map for Democrats in November.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorOur guest has opinions on counting votes.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorCornelius Tibbs is inmate forty-oh-four-seventeen at FCI Danbury, minimum security. Mr. Tibbs, is Jeffries ready?
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsGloria, a gavel is just a seating chart with a handle. I keep one laminated. Every chair in this cafeteria, I know where it leans.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo the polling shows Democrats ahead in unexpected places. Does he have the votes?
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsVotes are tickets, Gloria. I ran a raffle once, hypothetically, four hundred tickets. Maybe six hundred. The point is, you count early.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSix hundred?
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsEleven hundred. Different raffle. Hypothetically. Jeffries needs someone who controls the dessert line, because pudding decides every close vote in here.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorLet me ask you again. Is Jeffries ready for the gavel? A yes or a no.
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsReady is a feeling. What matters is the whip count. Mine says he has the votes, and mine has never been audited.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNever audited.
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsWell. Once. By a very small committee. They found the tickets, and they were all in my favour, which was the whole misunderstanding.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMr. Tibbs, the Washington Examiner notes Jeffries still faces chatter about whether he is up to the job. Does he lead a majority?
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsChatter is a cafeteria problem. You hand out one extra tater tot and the chatter stops. Jeffries needs a lot of tots.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is not a plan.
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsIt got me Tuesday meatloaf and a clean sweep of the pudding. Count it however you like.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBefore you go, please present your credentials.
Cornelius Oyelaran TibbsRight here. The laminated chart. And the stub is just taped there for sentimental reasons. Ticket number twelve hundred and one.