# The Great Ongoing Revolving Speakership of the 118th Congress {Mike Johnson is new speaker as of 2023-10-25}

**URL:** <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>\
**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:** 34

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/661 "2023-10-19T20:17:36Z")

</div>

> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#):
>
> 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.”

Reasonably high. Maybe 40%. I have heard plenty of right-wing types claim “it’s good the House has no Speaker because they can’t pass any bills and spend our money”. Remember this whole thing started because McCarthy _avoided_ a shutdown.

If Don Bacon is right, and the FC/MAGA types really just want to be in the opposition, then they can drag this out indefinitely. A shutdown won’t scare them at all. (Israeli aid, however…)

> [@](#):
>
> 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.

I think there is a \<5% chance any Democrats ever vote for a Republican Speaker. It just doesn’t make any sense for either party. I think there is a better chance of a smaller number of GOP members to switch to Independent and caucus with the Democrats and elect Jeffries as Speaker. And that is also a very small chance.

But if this drags into a shutdown with a majority of the House wanting to avoid the shutdown and fund Israeli military aid, there will be immense pressure on the GOP moderates to do something. Whether that “something” is switching parties or caving to Jordan will be an interesting test of character.

I guess you could possibly see a true “unity government” centered around a moderate GOP Speaker. But the feeling I get is that person would be largely supported by Democrats not Republicans. Which is a pretty difficult thing to keep stable.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/662 "2023-10-19T20:23:48Z")

</div>

I suspect (and I mentioned this upthread) that when (as seems most likely right now) the government shuts down, the big money backers of the remaining “mainstream” (read bought) Republicans are going to say “FIX THIS, or your sinecure after you’re done is GONE”.

Will they fix it by caving to Jordan? Maybe. Will they compromise and vote for some other, temporary figurehead Speaker that the Democrats will tolerate in exchange for the good of the nation? Also possible. But I don’t think any shutdown will be extended, although it may run a few weeks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [October 19, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/663 "2023-10-19T20:42:23Z")

</div>

> [@DSeid](#):
>
> > [@Cheesesteak](#):
> >
> > but what do I know, I’m not Speaker of the House.
> 
> Yeah but who is nowadays?
> 
> 🙂

I have no doubt that the poster @Cheesesteak would be a better Speaker than anyone who might get the job this month.

Hell, I suspect his namesake, an actual hot sandwich, would be a better Speaker than what’s in the offing now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/664 "2023-10-19T21:10:27Z")

</div>

Doper namesakes that would make a better Speaker than current offerings:

_Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/664))_

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/665 "2023-10-19T21:19:12Z")

</div>

Just mean, making me click every option instead of providing an all of the above.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/666 "2023-10-19T21:19:44Z")

</div>

Ninjad !

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/667 "2023-10-19T21:23:31Z")

</div>

I chose other. I think that a cat would be the best speaker. At least cats understand the concept of consent.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/668 "2023-10-19T21:27:14Z")

</div>

> [@Airbeck](#):
>
> I think that a cat would be the best speaker.

[![](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/5e/3e/e9/5e3ee9097b363c69097dd4c7a89564df.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/5e/3e/e9/5e3ee9097b363c69097dd4c7a89564df.jpg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/669 "2023-10-19T21:30:58Z")

</div>

My vote goes to a flaming brown paper bag full of poop.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/670 "2023-10-19T21:32:34Z")

</div>

> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#):
>
> My vote goes to a flaming brown paper bag full of poop .

Sorry, Jordan is probably out.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/671 "2023-10-19T21:35:51Z")

</div>

Isn’t he the one that started all this with the motion to vacate? Or am I thinking of someone else…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [October 19, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/672 "2023-10-19T21:42:45Z")

</div>

**Octopus** would be a good choice for doper namesake for Speaker. They’re reputedly rather intelligent as mollusks go. Almost certainly smarter than the definitely stupider-than-average humans on offer now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/673 "2023-10-19T21:45:58Z")

</div>

How can you trust someone who can disguise themselves as a rock or the seafloor?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [October 19, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/674 "2023-10-19T21:52:15Z")

</div>

Yes he is! No he isn’t! Yes he is!

> **[Republican Tempers Flare as Speaker Fight Continues, Paralyzing the House](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/us/politics/house-speaker-jim-jordan.html)**
>
> G.O.P. lawmakers spent Thursday fighting privately as one faction refused to back Representative Jim Jordan for speaker and another balked at an interim solution to allow the House to operate.

And for all you who think the Republicans will work with Democrats…

> “It’s a giant mistake to give the Democrats control of a Republican majority,” said Representative Jim Banks of Indiana, who backs Mr. Jordan. He added: “What they’re doing right now is walking the Republicans off the plank. We don’t deserve the majority if we go along with a plan to give the Democrats control over the House of Representatives. It’s a giant betrayal to Republicans.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/675 "2023-10-19T21:52:27Z")

</div>

From CNN:

> Meanwhile, one of the Republicans who voted against Jordan told members during a closed-door meeting today that they had to have a law enforcement officer stationed at their daughter’s school because of threats this member has been getting.

This is going well.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/676 "2023-10-19T21:54:19Z")

</div>

Also CNN:

> Amid the ongoing chaos in the speaker-less House, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz defended his decision to lead the effort to oust Kevin McCarthy from his speakership but did not articulate what he got out of it besides removing the California Republican from the position.  
> “We’re shaking up Washington, DC. We’re breaking the fever" he said.

And you know… the only cure… for the fever…

IS MORE COWBELL!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [October 19, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/677 "2023-10-19T21:57:16Z")

</div>

> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#):
>
> Yes he is! No he isn’t! Yes he is!

Now that there is some deee-cisive rock-ribbed powerful leadership if’n I ever seen any!

Flip-floppers gonna flip-flop.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/678 "2023-10-19T21:59:14Z")

</div>

> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#):
>
> Yes he is! No he isn’t! Yes he is!
> 
> [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/us/politics/house-speaker-jim-jordan.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/us/politics/house-speaker-jim-jordan.html)
> 
> And for all you who think the Republicans will work with Democrats…
> 
> > “It’s a giant mistake to give the Democrats control of a Republican majority,” said Representative Jim Banks of Indiana, who backs Mr. Jordan. He added: “What they’re doing right now is walking the Republicans off the plank. We don’t deserve the majority if we go along with a plan to give the Democrats control over the House of Representatives. It’s a giant betrayal to Republicans.”

Ya know, they could have just stopped after “We don’t deserve the majority” and I’d have agreed with a RWNJ for the first time in a while…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/679 "2023-10-19T22:09:54Z")

</div>

> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#):
>
> My vote goes to a flaming brown paper bag full of poop.

A small lump of green putty I found in my armpit one midsummer morning.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/680 "2023-10-19T22:11:14Z")

</div>

Moderating:

Ok, let’s please drop the hijacking. Great thread for the Pit, though, if you’re not done.

[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=33)

[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=35)