# 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:** 60
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1181 "2023-10-25T01:56:56Z")
The second ballot results: Johnson 97 Donalds 31 Green 21 Williams 20 Others 34 Present 3 Green and Williams bowed out, so they’re voting on the final round between Donalds and Johnson (and Other, who keeps growing their vote) ---
**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 25, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1182 "2023-10-25T01:59:46Z")
Mike Johnson wins with 128 votes. Does he have enough to get to 217 total in the up and down? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1183 "2023-10-25T02:03:34Z")
How long till Johnson drops out because Trump mean-tweets, I mean, mean-truths him? I know nothing about Johnson so maybe he is a total MAGAhead. But, I don’t think that really matters when the leopards decide to pounce on you. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1184 "2023-10-25T02:04:00Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Mike Johnson wins with 128 votes. Well, he gained only 31 votes (compared to the second vote) in, ostensibly, a two-man race. I’d lean towards “no, he can’t get virtually all of the GOP delegation behind him.” ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1185 "2023-10-25T02:04:30Z")
This time, it looks like the opposition comes from more institutionalist (don’t say “moderate”) Republicans who are pissed that the Conference keeps nominating Speaker candidates only for them to have to withdraw due to an apparent FC veto. Will these Members hold firm on a floor vote or fall in line? They held firm on Jordan, but he was particularly radioactive with many of his colleagues. Given how long this has gone on and that Johnson is lower profile, they may go along to get this over with. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1186 "2023-10-25T02:07:04Z")
Johnson is a member of the House Freedom Caucus. He supported Trump’s Muslim ban; believes medical marijuana is a gateway drug; served as a member of Trump’s _legal defense team_ during both impeachment trials; opposes _Obergefell_; introduced an act to prevent public schools and libraries from promoting or mentioning gender identity; and supports student-led public prayer in schools. He’s awful. ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1187 "2023-10-25T02:16:01Z")
Roll call vote in progress. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1188 "2023-10-25T02:17:11Z")
The final vote total that elected Johnson: Johnson 128 Donalds 29 Others 44 (43 of them for McCarthy) Present 1 ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1189 "2023-10-25T02:18:14Z")
Will 40+ McCarthy voters go for Johnson? ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1190 "2023-10-25T02:19:27Z")
I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1191 "2023-10-25T02:19:43Z")
It was easy for them to cast a secret ballot for McCarthy as a protest. They’re having the roll call right now where Members have to say whether they’ll support Johnson on the floor. ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1192 "2023-10-25T02:21:25Z")
I just read that Hill, Massie and Amodei have voted Present so far ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1193 "2023-10-25T02:22:00Z")
> He’s toast as soon as someone retweets this at Loser Donald. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1194 "2023-10-25T02:22:27Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > The final vote total that elected Johnson: > > Johnson 128 Looking back in the thread, it looks like Emmer ended with 117 in the previous last round of nominees. So it is “progress”. Edit: Correcting ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1195 "2023-10-25T02:25:02Z")
Emmer had 117 votes in the final ballot that “elected” him. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1196 "2023-10-25T02:29:28Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > He’s awful. Agreed. But this [from Politico](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/24/congress/next-up-mike-johnson-00123404) sounds promising: > [@](#): > > Johnson is already facing skepticism from fellow Republicans that he’ll prevail on the floor. If he’s unsuccessful it would make him the fourth speaker nominee since Kevin McCarthy was ousted earlier this month to be forced to withdraw despite being supported by a majority of the conference. > > “He’s uniquely positioned to lose 30 votes on either side of the conference,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). > > Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), who is from a battleground district, also predicted Johnson won’t be able to get to 217 adding: “He couldn’t get 100 earlier.” ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1197 "2023-10-25T02:29:48Z")
How long until McCarthy volunteers to come back because some people keep voting for him? I mean, if they really get moving they could elect three speaker nominees in a single day! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1198 "2023-10-25T02:34:49Z")
Rep. Mike Johnson voted against certifying the 2020 election and led 105 House Republicans in supporting a lawsuit to invalidate election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. ---
**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 25, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1199 "2023-10-25T02:34:51Z")
A lot of absences in the room but Johnson is reportedly doing well. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1200 "2023-10-25T02:34:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The only compromise candidate Democrats should be willing to accept is a neutral outsider with no political agenda of their own who is generally regarded as level-headed by both parties and pledges to run the House as a neutral referee. I’m all for that. Maybe a non-partisan state Supreme Court chief Justice who was about to retire. However, Jeffries seems to have another idea. If the Hastert Rule was dropped, and some other change made to prevent an 9ld-fashioned strong speakership, it might not matter who is the speaker. I wonder if they are getting close to going back to Scalise. [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=59) [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=61)