# The Great Ongoing Revolving Speakership of the 118th Congress {Mike Johnson is new speaker as of 2023-10-25} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 12, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432 "2023-10-12T02:05:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 33
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/641 "2023-10-19T18:54:59Z")
Just to clarify, my claim about the FC going to blame the Dems for not having a Speaker was not about ousting McCarthy, but rather blaming them for not electing Jordan. ---
**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:** [October 19, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/642 "2023-10-19T18:56:15Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This shit is insane. No one paying attention to this situation could characterize it in any other way. 😕 ETA: Wellllll
 unless your true goal is to harm Israel and Ukraine, help Trump, Russia, Iran, Hamas and China without being super obvious about it
 this works as well as anything, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/643 "2023-10-19T18:57:23Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > If I’m understanding this correctly (and please tell me where I’ve gone wrong), I think this is almost as problematic as not having a Speaker. I really don’t like to see democratic norms and processes upended because they’re hard. The rules of the House have always evolved. Rules that are absolutely democratic, as they are determined by a simple majority of its members. Expecting the rules to remain static, especially when they’re obviously not working well, is not helpful. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/644 "2023-10-19T19:01:29Z")
As Don Bacon (R - Neb.) noted - “I think they (his fellow Republicans) want to be in the minority. I think they would prefer that. So they can just vote no and just yell and scream all the time.” ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/645 "2023-10-19T19:03:08Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Of course it will be spun as “Democrats fault for not saving us from ourselves”, because that’s the only thing the current Republican crop knows how to say. Someone I know just posted this on LinkedIn: > Is there any organization that has more visible disfunction than Congress? Devoid of strategy, leadership, innovation, culture, humility, camaraderie, or compelling vision. A national embarrassment, **on both sides**. (Bolding mine) I don’t know this person’s political leanings, but somehow he thinks this 100% GOP-inflicted dysfunction looks like “both sides” are screwing up. But somehow I suspect that, if the tables were turned, it would be all the Dems’ fault. I have no words. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/646 "2023-10-19T19:04:02Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I have no words. Try these words on: “Squawk! Argle Bargle Both Sides! Squawk” ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/647 "2023-10-19T19:10:44Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > MSNBC just reported that McHenry himself said he does not want the role expanded. He is adamant that he is merely a placeholder, and he wants to see Jim Jordan become Speaker. So it’s a no-go for several reasons. I love the image of a Member trying to get recognized on the floor to introduce the resolution and McHenry has his fingers in his ears going “nah-nah-nah.” ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/648 "2023-10-19T19:11:02Z")
How many total votes over the years did the GOP give Nancy Pelosi for Speaker? Has a Speaker ever been elected using minority votes to get over the hump when the majority cannot agree with itself? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/649 "2023-10-19T19:17:25Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > How many total votes over the years did the GOP give Nancy Pelosi for Speaker? I do not assume any rational logic for any group who call themselves the Freedom Caucus and want the freedom to take away everyone else’s freedom. This is their thinking: Dems vote to remove McCarthy Dems help to elect Jordan MAGA! ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/650 "2023-10-19T19:21:22Z")
Yeah, at its core it seems to be that they think they are entitled to force their will on everyone else, regardless of how much MAGA views are in the minority. When your method to whip votes is to threaten the families of other Reps in your party, then you’ve lost the plot. It’s mafia tactics. This is Trumpism. ---
**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:** [October 19, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/651 "2023-10-19T19:24:06Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > This is Trumpism. In a nutshell. Perfect. Jordan does what Trump wants, and what Trump wants is chaos and anything that helps Russia and Iran – in the hope that those countries will in turn help him with bots and propaganda to win in 2024. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/652 "2023-10-19T19:25:22Z")
Yes, the New Crop of Republicans are too invested in being the opposition and resistance to the Establishment. Like someone else said, they’re the dog who caught the car. The **normal** thing would be that a solid majority of the Conference would _bind_ its members on procedural and Big F#%^+$ Deal votes. But the FC played the “well what if we _don’t_?” game, and, well, now _everyone_ has joined in. If only some putative candidate would promise that if elected the one and only reprisal will be to punish Matt Gaetz so hard he’ll want to change his name to George Santos
 the conference may be interested to listen đŸ€Ș ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/653 "2023-10-19T19:26:07Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I have no words. How about “Go stare at a Möbius strip and see if you can figure out a way to both-sides _that_.” ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/654 "2023-10-19T19:32:49Z")
What are the chances of either of the following: 1 - nobody budges on the Speakership through 11/17, the government shuts down as a result, and the Jordonaires blame the Democrats - “You could have stopped this at any time by electing him Speaker.” 2 - on the other hand, the Democrats send out feelers to get, what is it, 10 Republicans to agree on a Speaker that the Democrats can at least tolerate, and they vote for them. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/655 "2023-10-19T19:33:57Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > and the Jordonaires blame the Democrats They’re all shook up ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/656 "2023-10-19T19:34:28Z")
As an ex-Republican that desperately wants the party to return to rationality, I was telling Mrs Cad that in theory, the solution for the moderate Republicans would be to let Jordan win the Speakership so everyone can see what buffoons the FC really is when they try to lead. The problem is that it would fail because the people that vote for them are equally buffoonish. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/657 "2023-10-19T19:36:39Z")
If this were an election year, then would we get the Biden Rule re: SotH? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/658 "2023-10-19T19:40:21Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > How many total votes over the years did the GOP give Nancy Pelosi for Speaker? Pelosi was elected Speaker four times. In none of those elections did she receive more votes than there were Democrats in the chamber. Three times she didn’t get all the Dem votes, but I don’t think she ever got any GOP votes. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/659 "2023-10-19T19:44:30Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I can’t help but think it will only convince those that would vote Republican no matter what. Yes, but that is all they are aimed at. These statements and many others like them, (e.g. wellfare is for blacks is slavery) are basically fig leaves that they throw out to their supporters. they don’t hold up to the slightest bit of scrutiny but that is not necessary. Their supporters will gladly accept any rationale no matter how flimsy since it will alleviate the cognitive dissonance that comes with supporting a party as stupid evil and corrupt as the GOP. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/660 "2023-10-19T19:54:57Z")
At some level, this makes me wish that Fox had been tanked by the lawsuits to date. Sure, there’s now plenty of Right Wing Propaganda (I won’t bother dignifying it by the name news, and even Fox agrees it isn’t!) options out there, but if the viewership had fragmented further, the infighting and failure to send a (more or less) unified message to all the captive audience would have increased. To be clear, there’s the direct messaging that bypasses media that FC types have embraced - that’s never going away. But being able to see the direct (R) on (R) verbal (and otherwise?) violence could be useful in forcing a splintering of support. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432.md?page=34)