# How about Joe Neguse for Speaker? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 7, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661 "2026-11-07T16:01:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/1 "2026-11-07T16:01:33Z")
Looking around the world of political commentary, there seems to be rather widespread opposition to Hakeem Jeffries assuming the role as Speaker. It’s not just me- I don’t like that he’s an AIPAC guy, doesn’t seem to support Medicare for All, and is a bit too much of a corporate Dem. Not some kind of villain, just not who I would want as Speaker. Joe Neguese seems like a better choice to me, but what does the forum think? On the one hand, he Has taken AIPAC money as well, but he stopped the practice after they cut him off for basically taking a stand for American interests. He stated that “the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu had failed to comply with American laws and values” when he voted to restrict or end military aid to Israel. Now he doesn’t accept donations from AIPAC. Good for him for keeping up with the times. It is of top importance that we exclude these kinds of influences from our politics- just look at the results of Israeli influence! It’s been a disaster for us, for that region, for the world economy. Besides that, if you’ve seen him speak in Congress, the dude is slick and pointed. Maybe as slick as Mike Johnson, only using his talent for good causes rather than defending crooks. He’s highly engaged with his district, like a true-blue representative would be. He doesn’t have the highest profile in the House but, to compare to Johnson again, neither did that guy. Part of why he stays under the radar is that he isn’t embroiled in big controversies. If he’s accused of being a “socialist” or any such thing, I am at least not aware of it. And, if you like the idea of a Black person as Speaker, he’s that, too. I like him better for Speaker than Jeffries. What do y’all think? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/2 "2026-11-07T16:11:40Z")
Maybe start by spelling his name correctly. It’s “Neguse”. I corrected it in your thread title. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/3 "2026-11-07T16:22:27Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Joe Neguese seems like a better choice to me, but what does the forum think? On the one hand, he Has taken AIPAC money as well, but he stopped the practice after they cut him off for basically taking a stand for American interests. He stated that “the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu had failed to comply with American laws and values” when he voted to restrict or end military aid to Israel. So he’s better than Hakeem Jeffries, because he doesn’t take money from AIPAC but only after they stopped giving it to him. That’s a very principled stance right there. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/4 "2026-11-07T16:44:44Z")
Sure, but After he took a principled stand for American interests over donor interests. That’s the important thing. But… is that a “no” vote? Do you like Jeffries better then? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/5 "2026-11-07T17:21:18Z")
It wasn’t unreasonable to support Israel, say, ten years ago. It is, now. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/6 "2026-11-07T17:25:15Z")
[Gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/us/politics/aipac-democrats-donations-israel-vote.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OlE.ZSRZ.v5loeXNHg-8n&smid=url-share) to a New York Times article about how AIPAC cut off donations to fifteen House members who voted to eliminate US aid to Israel. So why are you suggesting Joe Neguse and not one of the others? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/7 "2026-11-07T17:36:58Z")
Joe Neguse has announced his candidacy for _assistant_ speaker, as well as his support for Hakeem Jeffries for the speakership. So it would appear that he disagrees with you about Jeffries, and would like to work closely with him as the assistant speaker. In his announcement, he said that his main goal for the 120th Congress is “to assist Speaker Jeffries and our **incredible Democratic leadership team** ”. Emphasis mine. Why are so many people online trying to manufacture fractures in a Democratic Party that for the most part is solidly united behind its current leaders? Curious. It _almost_ seems like the sort of thing that someone who isn’t a Democrat but wants to see their position weakened would do… 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/8 "2026-11-07T17:37:45Z")
I need to remind hopeful progressives that every single analysis of the election shows that the majority of gains were made by non-progressives, whether you call them centrists, moderates, or liberals. I think that just the increase in their number is more than the total number of progressives in House. The math is not on your side. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/9 "2026-11-07T17:39:45Z")
Also, [from NPR last month](https://www.npr.org/2026/10/21/nx-s1-6011531/aipac-campaign-contributions-israel-democrats), “The pro-Israel political organization AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, announced on Wednesday [October 21, 2026] that it will no longer issue endorsements, make direct PAC contributions or earmark funds for candidates.” So tell me again, on what basis is Joe Neguse so much better than everyone else? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/10 "2026-11-07T18:20:40Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Joe Neguse has announced his candidacy for _assistant_ speaker, as well as his support for Hakeem Jeffries for the speakership. So it would appear that he disagrees with you about Jeffries, and would like to work closely with him as the assistant speaker. > > In his announcement, he said that his main goal for the 120th Congress is “to assist Speaker Jeffries and our **incredible Democratic leadership team** ”. Emphasis mine. Or he’s trying to position himself as the heir apparent in case Jeffries does struggle. If that’s not his main goal, it’s certainly a reasonable side order. But overall I agree w you; most of the people out in public media making anti-Jeffries noises are anti-Democrat concern trolls. Or as others said, confused hard core progressive / socialist leftists who now utterly misread why the Ds did so well this time and have ecstatic visions of AOC as Speaker this time. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/11 "2026-11-07T18:30:07Z")
Neguse is my hometown rep. I’ve written to him and heard back. I don’t know if he reacted to me personally, but he voted to cut military aid to Israel after I asked for it. And like I said in the OP, he really is quite active in the district. I think he is sincere and for real. And I Do think he is a little slicker than Jeffries. It’s possible I just don’t know the others as well. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/12 "2026-11-07T20:15:20Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Looking around the world of political commentary, there seems to be rather widespread opposition to Hakeem Jeffries assuming the role as Speaker. It’s not just me- I don’t like that he’s an AIPAC guy, doesn’t seem to support Medicare for All, No, there is not. It seems to me, it is mainly you. Next- most members of Congress get donations from AIPAC, and as I have pointed out to you several times- Jeffries is not even in the top ten. The Sanders “Medicare for all” had nothing whatsoever to do with medicare, and it has few backers. It is a bad plan. > [@Babale](#): > > Joe Neguse has announced his candidacy for _assistant_ speaker, as well as his support for Hakeem Jeffries for the speakership. Right. Let me say it again- _there is no way the Dems are going to vote out Jeffries after the Big Blue Wave._ ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/13 "2026-11-08T01:40:51Z")
> This is the vibe I get from these threads. I don’t understand the logic at all. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/14 "2026-11-08T18:57:34Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > This is the vibe I get from these threads. I don’t understand the logic at all. Good cite. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/15 "2026-11-08T19:13:54Z")
Look harder, there is opposition to Jeffries all over the place. And “most congresspeople” taking AIPAC donations is the very problem I am trying to address. America is supposed to stand out and stand for something- “most” anything isn’t the usual vibe. “Most” people don’t get elected to Congress in the first place. “Most” people don’t approve of the war with Iran. “Most” (actually all, AFAIK) intelligence agencies tell us that Iran was Not building a bomb, yet here we are, once again fighting a pointless war on behalf of a foreign power. If “most” people jumped off a bridge, would you follow them? Of course not. I don’t give a flip about “most”, I want actual results. No AIPAC speaker. No to Jeffries. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/16 "2026-11-08T19:16:31Z")
I think someone asked you earlier but I don’t think you ever responded; why are AIPAC contributions a problem, as opposed to contributions from the gun lobby or the defense lobby or the healthcare insurance lobby or any of the other lobbies sending money to Congress? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/17 "2026-11-08T19:33:48Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > And “most congresspeople” taking AIPAC donations is the very problem I am trying to address. America is supposed to stand out and stand for something- “most” anything isn’t the usual vibe. Sure. And American has a significant and active Jewish population. There is nothing wrong with them having a Political Donation org. or do you think there is? How about the drug and Medical lobby? They-overall- are the biggest. How about these?- > **[30 Largest Christian Advocacy Organizations – 2022 - MinistryWatch](https://ministrywatch.com/30-largest-christian-advocacy-organizations-2022/)** > > Below is a list of the 30 largest Christian advocacy organizations in the United States.  These are organizations whose work is not primarily direct aid, but in advocacy, including those who work in the arena of public policy — including life,... Do you have an issue with Christian Lobbying groups, or only Jewish ones? Or these- they spent a LOT more $$ than AIPAC- - **Future Forward USA:** $509,516,235 - **Make America Great Again Inc. (MAGA Inc.):** $376,948,611 **America PAC (associated with Elon Musk):** $171,961,130 **Americans for Prosperity:** $138,498,011 **Fairshake PAC:** $133,006,874 Personally , I have a HUGE issue with Make America Great Again Inc. (MAGA Inc.) and it’s $376,948,611 of donations. Anyone getting money for them is suspicious to me. How about you? Are you Okay with MAGA inc? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think someone asked you earlier but I don’t think you ever responded; why are AIPAC contributions a problem, as opposed to contributions from the gun lobby or the defense lobby or the healthcare insurance lobby or any of the other lobbies sending money to Congress? Yes. The poster’s constant mention of one lobbying group- which again- **is NOT funded by foreign money-** is getting weird. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/18 "2026-11-08T20:17:16Z")
AIPAC does not in any way represent American Jews. It only represents the extreme right wing fringe. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/19 "2026-11-08T21:12:06Z")
Also note that Neguse is very low in seniority, 216th. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-joe-neguse-for-speaker/1034661/20 "2026-11-08T21:23:45Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > AIPAC does not in any way represent American Jews. It only represents the extreme right wing fringe. Polling disagrees with you. > **[NEW POLL: What’s on the minds of Jewish Americans today?](https://www.jewishelectorateinstitute.org/new-poll-whats-on-the-minds-of-jewish-americans-today)** > [@](#): > > Indeed, views of AIPAC, the biggest pro-Israel spender in primaries, are mixed, with 42% favorable, 35% unfavorable, and 24% not sure. AIPAC is seen favorably by most independents (55% favorable, 15% unfavorable) and Republicans (71% favorable, 12% unfavorable). Jewish Democrats are 44% unfavorable, with a majority either favorable (31%) or not sure (25%). > > Moreover, Democratic Jews do not fit easily into one box on AIPAC. Nearly half (45%) agree with the statement “AIPAC is being unfairly singled out for doing just what other advocacy groups do”. Yet 30% agree they cannot vote for a candidate who accepts money from AIPAC, while 19% cannot support a candidate who refuses money from AIPAC.