# 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:** 35
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/681 "2023-10-19T22:28:26Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > And for all you who think the Republicans will work with Democrats… Well, your quote _does_ say the speaker backs Jordan; I don’t think anyone is saying that there’s any chance that Jordan supporters will work with Dems… ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/682 "2023-10-19T22:55:22Z")
Oh Lord, [this fucking quote](https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/kevin-mccarthy-matt-gaetz-speaker-b2432731.html): > According to _Punchbowl News,_ Majority Whip Tom Emmer said: “As I have made very clear over the last few days, we should never allow a Democrat-backed coalition government. Ever. The only coalition we should be looking to build is **a Republican coalition** uniting all of our conference.” A “Republican coalition”?!? You’re not supposed toe be a “coalition”, numbnuts, _you’re supposed to be a party!_ This guy is soooo close to realizing that they really aren’t a party any more, it’s killing me that he can’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/683 "2023-10-19T23:40:54Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Majority Whip Tom Emmer Wait, they have one of those? The guy who’s supposed to bring the majority in line to support the legislative agenda of leadership? Where has he been, and what has he been doing? ---
**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, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/684 "2023-10-19T23:46:16Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > what has he been doing? Failing. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/685 "2023-10-19T23:52:25Z")
Literal LOL. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/686 "2023-10-20T00:01:07Z")
Some reporting that the interim speaker bid failed not necessarily because they wouldn’t or couldn’t agree on it, but because McHenry absolutely refused the ‘honor’. So we remain in chaotic limbo… ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/687 "2023-10-20T00:09:10Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > This zing needs to be acknowledged. Definitely!! ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/688 "2023-10-20T00:09:55Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Some reporting that the interim speaker bid failed not necessarily because they wouldn’t or couldn’t agree on it, but because McHenry absolutely refused the ‘honor’. I frankly don’t blame him. All this “solution” would have done is shift onto his shoulders the responsibility for making the tough decisions that his caucus is incapable of making, and he would have been savaged no matter what he did. I’m starting to wonder if he hit on McCarthy’s wife or something to get appointed to this “honor.” ---
**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 20, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/689 "2023-10-20T00:10:12Z")
Consequences for voting no against the fascists. GA Rep Drew Ferguson had to station a police officer at his daughter’s school and one at his home after threats due to voting against Jortan. CO Rep Ken Buck said the lease on one of his offices was cancelled due to the vote against Jordan. These are both rumors from “senior sources” but not seeing anything on Google yet, only Threads. But if these are accurate, this seems to be going to a very dark place. All because Trumpists cannot accept no as an answer from the American people. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/690 "2023-10-20T00:11:29Z")
Buck himself confirmed the eviction notice on NBC News. ---
**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 20, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/691 "2023-10-20T00:13:06Z")
Ah, ok. Well there you go. And not a single MAGA will denounce these threats. Despicable. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/692 "2023-10-20T00:16:36Z")
Did he say it was a MAGA landlord? Or that the landlord was afraid the premises would be firebombed? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/693 "2023-10-20T00:18:15Z")
> [@](#): > > “It’s a giant mistake to give the Democrats control of a Republican majority,” I can see that argument. If, in fact, there were a Republican majority. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/694 "2023-10-20T00:19:25Z")
deleted. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/695 "2023-10-20T00:30:55Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Did he say it was a MAGA landlord? Or that the landlord was afraid the premises would be firebombed? He said the landlord was irate with him for opposing Jordan. I also know that the House Administrative Counsel reviews all district office leases and those suckers are airtight. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/696 "2023-10-20T00:32:10Z")
Thanks. So the landlord’s hotheaded action is likely to backfire on him? ---
**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 20, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/697 "2023-10-20T00:36:32Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Oh Lord, [this fucking quote](https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/kevin-mccarthy-matt-gaetz-speaker-b2432731.html): > > > According to _Punchbowl News,_ Majority Whip Tom Emmer said: “As I have made very clear over the last few days, we should never allow a Democrat-backed coalition government. Ever. The only coalition we should be looking to build is **a Republican coalition** uniting all of our conference.” > > A “Republican coalition”?!? You’re not supposed toe be a “coalition”, numbnuts, _you’re supposed to be a party!_ > > This guy is soooo close to realizing that they really aren’t a party any more, it’s killing me that he can’t see it. IMO he totally realizes it. He just thinks it would be “impolitic” (to use an obsolete word) to say it out loud though. The problem is the USA government can’t operate with 3 parties. The two-party system is totally written into the electoral laws of the 50 states. And from a game-theoretic POV, the structure of Congress and of the EC ensures a 3-party system resulting from a schism yields perpetual government by the opposing team (D’s in this case) until the schismatic parties can reconnect. Which might take decades. That is a prospect too horrible to talk about in public even if it’s obvious to most concerned that that is where they’re going unless they turn around real quickly. And right now they’re picking up speed in the schismatic direction. As many folks have said in one form or another, when the rightists realize their views can’t win elections, they’ll abandon democracy & the constitution before they’ll abandon their views. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/698 "2023-10-20T01:11:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > the structure of Congress and of the EC ensures a 3-party system resulting from a schism yields perpetual government by the opposing team (D’s in this case) until the schismatic parties can reconnect. Which might take decades. I fail to see the downside. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/699 "2023-10-20T01:15:42Z")
Apparently today’s conference meeting literally devolved into a slapfight. > **[House GOP’s Private Meeting on Speaker Mess Devolves Into Pure Chaos](https://www.thedailybeast.com/jim-jordan-retreats-as-gop-considers-short-term-speaker?ref=home?ref=home)** > > One congressman even left the meeting early to pray for an end to the madness. > [@](#): > > The meeting itself has already become the stuff of legend in the Capitol. It featured McCarthy reportedly yelling at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the ringleader of the coup which ousted him, and Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) reportedly lunging at Gaetz. It featured lawmakers heatedly studying copies of the U.S. Constitution, even waving them in the air, as they debated their unprecedented situation. And plenty of yelling. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/700 "2023-10-20T01:18:48Z")
> “to pray for an end to the madness” Thoughts and prayers, people, thoughts and prayers! It’s not just for gunfire anymore! [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=34) [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=36)