A clear sign of the ongoing disarray in the House, and in the Republican Party (2x update added)
[guest post by Dana]
Is there a better representation of the mess in which the House Republicans, and GOP in general, currently find themselves:
Rep. Troy Nehls: “If we go to the floor…I’ll be nominating Donald J. Trump…I think Donald Trump is the answer…Donald J. Trump for 100 days…I told the president you may have to adjust your golf schedule…because we’ll be busy. But I think he would be willing to do it.” pic.twitter.com/PTZEtjSamk
— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) October 24, 2023
Imagine thinking Donald Trump is the answer to the current speaker problem. Admittedly, that’s a dumb thing to say, considering that a whole lot of voters want to see him become the next president. Go figure.
I guess it boils down to this:
Hey, look, if the best you can do is to get a quadruply-indicted, national-security-endangering thief, conman, and rapist on a part-time and temporary basis, then so be it. Gotta make do with what you’ve got.
Reminder: The more that the hard-right Republicans turn to Trump for their salvation, the longer the Party will continue to be in disarray.
UPDATE: How it’s going now:
…McCarthy is floating a plan that would reinstall him as speaker and make Jordan, a conservative Trump ally, the assistant speaker, according to three sources familiar with McCarthy’s pitch.
Asked why the idea — which lacks key details, like how it would be enacted and whether it could even gain enough traction to happen — was being floated now, a GOP lawmaker replied: “We’re desperate.”
“Kevin speaker, Jordan assistant speaker,” the source said.
UPDATE 2: Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana has won the gavel, despite have in less than 7 years service in the House:
House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to serve as the next speaker of the House, breaking weeks of GOP infighting that left the lower chamber frozen.
NOTE: True to form of the modern GOP, the House has voted in an election denier:
Johnson, who currently serves as the GOP caucus vice chair and is an ally of Trump, led the amicus brief signed by more than 100 House Republicans in support of a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate the 2020 election results in four swing states won by Biden: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Heh:
When asked by NBC News what he thought of Johnson, Sen. Mitt Romney said that he new “very little about him” but thought his past election denialism was “unfortunate.”
Romney continued that it would “be interesting to see how the House runs if they choose a speaker that has no experience in leadership or as a committee chair.”
He added: “Inexperience seems to be a qualification.”
—Dana
Hello.
Dana (932d71) — 10/24/2023 @ 3:52 pmAt least nicky haley is tied with desatan in latest poll. If trump is somehow not the nominee haley would scare the bejeezus out of biden. This is assuming the goppers in the house don’t destroy the republican party which is a big assumption on my part. Trump says no to emmert.
asset (7c9369) — 10/24/2023 @ 4:12 pmDonald Trump is even more of a non-starter than anyone so far. It;s just posturing.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 10/24/2023 @ 4:43 pmIt could be flattery.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 10/24/2023 @ 4:44 pm“Adjust his golf schedule….”
More like adjust his trial schedule.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/24/2023 @ 4:59 pmUpdate added to post. Hoo boy…
Dana (932d71) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:05 pmI found myself almost agreeing with Catoggio’s back-handed defense of McCarthy, but I think the party would’ve been better off having this crisis last January, well before the debt-ceiling showdown and before the government shutdown/Ukraine/Israel business.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:08 pmAll of which will require some Democratic Party support to pass.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:11 pmThe GOP is headed the way of the antebellum Whigs. I don’t see how they possibly avoid a split. Which wing will end up with the big piece of the wishbone is anyone’s guess.
Barry Jacobs (2b0ba8) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:12 pmBTW, I’m so anti-Jordan that it’s hellnoway I want him for “Assistant” Speaker, whatever that means, especially if it’s a backdoor means to get him into the Speaker’s job.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:51 pmI’m borrowing this from a Disqus comment section: “They should let Boebert handle it. She’s got a good feel for the right member.”
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:53 pmMore futility:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:56 pmAnother one: “Boebert should offer the reach across the aisle and bring this thing to a happy ending.”
Yes, lame, but this whole Republican caucus is a joke.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/24/2023 @ 5:57 pmAre we sure we are not being trolled? This sounds like Michael Scott and Dwight.
Michael: I’m regional Manager.
Dwight: And I’m Assistant Regional Manager.
Michael: Assistant to the Regional Manager, Dwight.
felipe (b61595) — 10/24/2023 @ 6:25 pmHere’s the visual, felipe.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/24/2023 @ 6:33 pmHouse Republicans nominate election denier Rep. Mike Johnson for Speaker.
Rip Murdock (37fadb) — 10/24/2023 @ 7:22 pmI hope the Assistant Speakership consists entirely of getting coffee for the Speaker.
norcal (c52c97) — 10/24/2023 @ 8:14 pmHow’s it going now, you ask, Dana?
It goes like this: The GOP House members nominated one of the 147 Republican fascists who voted to overturn popular votes in states, and his name is Mike Johnson. At this point, it doesn’t matter anymore, they’re all Trump toadies, subject to the vagaries of Cult Trump.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/24/2023 @ 8:27 pmWhat is this “Republican Party” and why should anyone vote for it?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/24/2023 @ 9:00 pmThe GP is neither republican, nor a party.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/24/2023 @ 9:07 pm*GOP
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/24/2023 @ 9:07 pmFrom ABC News reporter:
We know exactly what Johnson is about.
Dana (932d71) — 10/24/2023 @ 9:31 pmThe GP is neither republican
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/24/2023 @ 9:07 pm
Correct. Its cult leader wants to terminate the Constitution. How do I know? He said so. If you missed that Trump statement on “Truth” Social months ago, you haven’t been paying sufficient attention.
norcal (c52c97) — 10/24/2023 @ 9:33 pm@9 excellent analysis and it led to the formation of the then radical republican party as northern wigs seperated from pro-slavery southern whigs.
asset (7c9369) — 10/24/2023 @ 10:28 pm@20 GOP is now populist party and populists will vote for it and that is 70% of party You conservatives and never trumpers can sabotage it (liz cheney) ;but not regain control. As AOC said conservatives have the money populists have the votes. See: kari lake’s crushing conservative establishment karren taylor robson in az. Kari lake the told the mccain republican voters to get out of the party which cost her the election to democrat katie hobbs.
asset (7c9369) — 10/24/2023 @ 10:38 pmAs long as they get reelected, which for most of them means not getting primaried because they did not kiss Trump’s butt with sufficient ardor, they don’t care. They and their staffs will get theit salaries and perks without any of the responsibilities of law-making, and throw an occasional tantrum when the lack of something to do something becomes too heavy. Bliss!
Save us, Deep State! You are our only hope!
nk (e88ecb) — 10/25/2023 @ 5:12 amJohnson appears to be Jim Jordan with a jacket and a smile on his face.
Anyone who lent intellectual credence to the stolen election memes….which Johnson did….lacks the character to lead. Anyone who is skeptical about Ukraine military support lacks moral clarity about Russia and is ignorant about the message this sends to China. Anyone voting against the CR that ended up passing both houses with big majorities isn’t serious about governing.
Hopefully Johnson too will get rejected. I’m not sure where that will leave us…but the odor emanating from the GOP caucus must be giving a handful the urge to head over to the other caucus. A house divided cannot stand. The GOP caucus…like the GOP electorate continuing to support a criminal candidate….is hopelessly broken.
AJ_Liberty (9c4766) — 10/25/2023 @ 6:39 amMeh.
Looks like we’re crashing into a government shut down.
GenXer… “meh“.
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 6:51 amEither the “moderates” will cave and support Johnson/MAGA, or they’ll need to split the GOP.
My money is on the former.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 10/25/2023 @ 7:27 amMy money is on the former.
Heh! So is theirs.
They’re not going to unlatch from the RNC tit any more than from the government tit.
nk (095598) — 10/25/2023 @ 7:45 amSince I might have voted against the PA electoral vote, coming from an unlawful election in blatant violation of the state’s Constitution, I cannot criticize Johnson for doing so. AZ would be a different matter.
I am more worried about aid to Ukraine.
Government shutdown? We have a $1.7 trillion deficit this year — if not now, when? There are countless federal programs that need review, if not the axe. Do we really need to fund hydrogen-fuel startups when that’s not the direction we’re headed? Do we really need to subsidize illegal immigration? Do we really need to pay farm supports in an era of mega-corp farming? Do we really need to have Medicare cover every last marginal drug?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 9:03 amThe fact that Johnson, a lawyer, signed an amicus petition in favor of TX vs PA is more worrisome, as that was just stupid, irrespective of how one views the PA election.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 9:04 am@32 I mean, if we shut down.
How would that impact the deficit?
Would it at all?
Silver linings… silver linings…
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 9:05 amEither the “moderates” will cave and support Johnson/MAGA, or they’ll need to split the GOP.
My heart is with the latter, but I’d bet on the former.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 9:05 amThis is somewhat encouraging.
Jim Miller (857a4b) — 10/25/2023 @ 9:53 amCould this be part of what motivates Matt Gaetz? This chaos must be delaying his ethics investigation.
Kevin McCarthy has said so, and with good reason.
Jim Miller (857a4b) — 10/25/2023 @ 9:58 amMike Johnson does not appear to be a member of the House Freedom Caucus
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:17 amSo far it’s a straight party-line vote.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:17 am@33 my understanding is that Johnson drafted the brief, making him the architect of the effort
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:33 am@33 my understanding is that Johnson drafted the brief, making him the architect of the effort
Monroe wept.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:42 amOnly one anti-Jordan voter yet to speak (Womack); all others have voted for Johnson. Probably unanimous.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:43 amThe wind still blows from Mar-a-Lago.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:44 amJohnson has it.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:48 am2nd update added to post.
Dana (932d71) — 10/25/2023 @ 11:41 amGive Johnson a chance all.
He seems like a compromise pick that satisfies the various wings of the party.
I would also like to state, that Johnson being an attorney is a honey-badger on the oversight… particularly when he took Mayorkus to tasks over the Missouri v. Biden case.
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 11:45 amI listened to almost all of Johnson’s speech and I was struck by what was there — and what wasn’t there. Unless I missed something at the very beginning, he made no mention of the 2020 election, and even more importantly, no mention of the Big Loser.
Some may consider those omissions a bit weaselly. But there are times when leaders need to be a bit weaselly, and this may be one of them.
(Our journalists will, of course, try to keep the spotlight on the Big Loser, and it will be interesting to see how he handles them.)
Jim Miller (dd40b3) — 10/25/2023 @ 12:12 pmDemocrats can thank themselves for their unity, for unanimously making the atrocious decision of voting McCarthy out of the Speakership.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is ultimately responsible for this bad decision, resulting in an election-denying right-wing partisan (more right-wing than McCarthy) who’s opposed to military aid to Ukraine, being elevated to Speaker and 2nd in line to the presidency. Well done. Jeffries’ act will live in infamy.
Trump and Gaetz win, Democrats lose.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 10/25/2023 @ 12:22 pmHere’s the thing.
There are lessons to learn here.
The easiest to spotlight, is don’t pull a Gaetz.
But, the other in this case?
The overall effect of Democrats unanimously voting with Gaetz to oust McCarthy is now an ultra socially conservative (not a member of HFC) who historically was skeptical of endless support of Ukraine.
Good job guys. * golf clapping *
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 12:25 pmHeh… hey Paul!
: Fist bump :
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 12:26 pmFrom Mike Johnson’s Wikipedia biography:
Jim Miller (dd40b3) — 10/25/2023 @ 12:45 pmRomney: “Inexperience seems to be a qualification.”
Biting.
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 10/25/2023 @ 12:59 pmWell done. Jeffries’ act will live in infamy.
The Democrats have been one of the biggest supporters of MAGA right along. They supply the accelerant, then point at how the GOP house is afire.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:00 pmRomney: “Inexperience seems to be a qualification.”
(slightly paraphrased)
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:04 pmWhat does one expect from the opposition party?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:05 pmDoes anyone expect Johnson to be Speaker at end of this Congressional session?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:06 pm@56 Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:06 pm
I think so, as I’m sure they don’t want to go through this again.
Now in a new Congress in ’25… depends on his performance.
I’d look at this his probation period to see if he can wrangle the different factions AND learn quickly to be that “fundraiser” guy, ala McCarthy.
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:15 pmKevin McCarthy was just as much a Trump supporter as any House member. He voted to overturn Arizona’s and Pennsylvania’s 2020 election results and against aid to Ukraine in 2022. And after criticizing Trump after 1/6, he went to MAL on bended knee.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:22 pmNow in a new Congress in ’25… depends on his performance.
He can be the Best Speaker Ever and it won’t matter as the GOP will be in the minority in 2025.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:26 pmThe major news stories are all within the hour, but I think I heard it on the radio before (but not completely)
But this story dates from 2:40 pm EDT:
https://www.newser.com/story/341861/meet-the-houses-most-powerful-republican.html
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:37 pmMike Johnson was actually ranked number 5 (of 7) in the House Republican hierarchy: Vice chairman of the House Republican Conference
https://www.gop.gov/about/house-republican-conference-vice-chair.htm
In one article, this is described as a messaging position.
Sammy Finkelman (e0dccb) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:49 pm@52
Not really.
Johnson was elected in 2016.
Romney was elected in 2018.
whembly (5f7596) — 10/25/2023 @ 1:50 pm#56
My guess is Johnson will be the guy until the end of term. Since the GOP seems to want to be clobbered in 2024, I don’t see him as speaker in 2025.
I don’t like that he is an election denier, but it was baked in the cake that the next speaker would be. It’s not like McCarthy didn’t play that game. If the GOP still holds the house, it will be viewed as a miracle and Johnson will keep his job. If the GOP loses, it’s back to the back bench or a minor leadership position, as the adults retake.
Appalled (12f10a) — 10/25/2023 @ 2:00 pmIF the GOP winds 30 more seats, it might not be Johnson then either as such a win would not be due to the House GOP’s performance (you can take that word either way).
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 2:19 pmIt was a given that there would be an election denier as Speaker or there would be no Speaker. So let’s forget that.
The question, if anybody cares to wonder about it, is what made McCarthy, Scalise, and Jordan otherwise unpalatable to Trump’s dogs in the manger.
Personally, I’d rather spend the time looking for a good video-quality episode of Combat! on Roku.
nk (58b0e0) — 10/25/2023 @ 2:33 pmJordan wasn’t unpalatable to Trump’s dogs, he was unpalatable to those who had a personal dislike of Jordan and Trump.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/25/2023 @ 2:58 pmWait until Johnson brings to the floor a continuing resolution next month to fund the government with only Republican support that then gets rejected by the Senate.
Rip Murdock (37fadb) — 10/25/2023 @ 5:18 pmHe would then need Democrat votes to pass a compromise. Not going to be pretty.
Congratulations Speaker Johnson.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 10/25/2023 @ 7:24 pmThe Ku kiux klan congratulates him too! Establishment democrats in party worry that they will be discredited like in 2016. AOC and the left lick their chops in anticipation of asking corporate stooges like biden and establishment DNC democrats in congress “what are you going to do about his national abortion ban, privatizing social security and end medicare?
asset (9a0c8d) — 10/25/2023 @ 8:12 pmHe would then need Democrat votes to pass a compromise. Not going to be pretty.
Why compromise. Just keep it shut down for a few months and you save a lot of money.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/25/2023 @ 10:27 pm@70 Because that would not be the only thing that would happen. A fatal flaw on your part perhaps?
asset (9a0c8d) — 10/26/2023 @ 2:27 am@67
Wait until Johnson brings to the floor a continuing resolution next month to fund the government with only Republican support that then gets rejected by the Senate.
He would then need Democrat votes to pass a compromise. Not going to be pretty.
Rip Murdock (37fadb) — 10/25/2023 @ 5:18 pm
The Senate can take that bill and modify/pass as they want.
Which goes back to the House.
Then, the House/Senate sets up a working conference to hammer out the details *cough*compromise*cough*.
This stuff is normal.
whembly (5f7596) — 10/26/2023 @ 6:38 amFor those of us who were hoping that the GOP would at least not get any worse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsW9MlYu31g
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/26/2023 @ 10:24 amBecause that would not be the only thing that would happen. A fatal flaw on your part perhaps?
Lots of government workers would have to find real jobs?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/26/2023 @ 10:25 amAnd the military, federal law enforcement, federal inspectors of pharmaceutical plants, and meat processing, etc.? Good times!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/26/2023 @ 11:44 amThe Party that consistently refers to their opposition as “The Party of No” now aghast that they be held responsible for their actions while in the minority.
Democrats have forever given up arguments against principled opposition.
SaveFarris (b09875) — 10/26/2023 @ 2:01 pmThe Democrats can’t count on Trump being around to get them votes in November 2024. They need a backup plan. “A vote for the Republican is a vote for Matt Gaetz.”
nk (d97a06) — 10/26/2023 @ 2:28 pmAnd the military, federal law enforcement, federal inspectors of pharmaceutical plants, and meat processing, etc.? Good times!
The military is usually exempt. As for inspectors, those jobs should be outsourced anyway.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/26/2023 @ 4:01 pmThe problem, that should be obvious to anyone, is that increasing the federal debt by nearly $2 trillion a year isn’t sustainable. And soon enough it will stop. One way, or the other.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 10/26/2023 @ 4:03 pmKevin M (ed969f) — 10/26/2023 @ 4:03 pm
It’s probably sustainable for another ten years.
What’s really not sustainable is the current level of interest rates.
One way to end it is to deposit a dozen trillion dollar coins.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 10/26/2023 @ 4:12 pmThese are the five things (which actually reduce to four, since number 1 and number 3 are the same thing) Mike Johnson committed to:
https://nypost.com/2023/10/25/opinion/mike-johnson-lucked-into-speaker-job-but-he-has-talent-to-pull-it-off
Of course, number 1 presumes failure to keep number 3, so they are not absolute.
No recess after June 30 would mean not only no 5th of July recess, but no recess for the conventions.
Sammy Finkelman (7a85f9) — 10/26/2023 @ 4:28 pmExcept when it’s not.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/26/2023 @ 5:17 pmAnd the fact is the House was unable to exempt military pay from a shutdown for the last three weeks.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/26/2023 @ 5:18 pmYeah, let Big Pharma and meatpackers self-certify their drugs or meat. Better yet, just repeal inspection laws all together, or leave it up to the states. Good Times!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 10/26/2023 @ 5:23 pm