# 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:** 77
**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:** [March 18, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1521 "2024-03-18T14:11:14Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Speaker Johnson I can’t believe that no one took the low-hanging fruit here. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1522 "2024-03-18T14:13:33Z")
I kind of doubt it’s _that_ low-hanging… ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1523 "2024-03-18T20:28:41Z")
Even the RNC doesn’t know who Speaker Johnson is: > They seem to think he works for Biden. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1524 "2024-03-18T20:38:13Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > They seem to think he works for Biden. Is Mike Johnson a part of the Deep State?! 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1525 "2024-03-18T21:58:30Z")
Let’s pretend that wasn’t Mike Johnson and it was a couple of Biden’s people. What was I supposed to glean from that video? That Biden doesn’t run down steps three at a time anymore or something? ---
**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:** [March 18, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1526 "2024-03-18T22:05:28Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > That Biden doesn’t run down steps three at a time anymore or something? Shit, I’m 10 years younger than Biden, and I’m not sure I could walk down that many steps without a handrail or steadying hand. And I think that I’m in relatively good shape. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1527 "2024-03-18T22:07:19Z")
Sure Biden looked sort of spry, but stairs are easy, not like walking down a gentle slope or drinking from a water bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1528 "2024-03-19T00:34:01Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Shit, I’m 10 years younger than Biden, and I’m not sure I could walk down that many steps without a handrail or steadying hand. I’m only in my mid (creeping towards late)-50’s, but I’m already starting to have to pay a little attention to locomotion. A couple of years ago I was late for something, the elevator where I was was broken and I did something I regularly did in decades past but hadn’t done for several years at that point. Went down multiple flights of stairs at a pretty fast trot-near run. Went great until it didn’t. When one of my feet inexplicably got tangled with the other I thankfully still had the reflexes to grab a handrail while going down and managed to not split my skull or break my neck. Just a turned ankle and a sore shoulder for abruptly arresting my bodyweight while almost tumbling to my doom. I’ve decided I’m now past my carefree hurtling-down-stairs years. At a certain point we all have to slow down and be more careful, no matter what kind of shape you’re in for your age. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2024, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1529 "2024-03-19T01:50:10Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I’m not sure I could walk down that many steps without a handrail or steadying hand. Same here, in fact I wouldn’t even think of trying to walk down that many steps without a handrail. Of course, I’m 75, but that’s still younger than Biden. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1530 "2024-03-19T02:05:23Z")
I’m 75, and I **always** use the handrail, even when going up or down a couple of porch steps. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1531 "2024-03-19T02:27:19Z")
Wonder if Don was fudging his pants watching that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1532 "2024-03-19T02:48:39Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Shit, I’m 10 years younger than Biden, and I’m not sure I could walk down that many steps without a handrail or steadying hand. And I think that I’m in relatively good shape. Same here- bad knees due to arthritis- going down hurts more than up. And yeah, I always use the handrail. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2024, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1533 "2024-03-19T05:36:55Z")
That’s just smart though. You can trip or slip at any age and falling on steps is always going to hurt anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1534 "2024-03-19T08:54:20Z")
Biden is walking down the steps at the same speed as Mike Johnson who is in front of him most of the way. Should we worry about the Speaker’s “vigor”? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1535 "2024-03-19T09:15:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > What was I supposed to glean from that video? That Biden doesn’t run down steps three at a time anymore or something? I’m with you. Was this supposed to be a gotcha? I’m missing it. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1536 "2024-03-19T11:09:47Z")
This reminds me of the time they showed the photo of Pelosi pointing a chastising finger at the crowd in the room before she left—a real boss move—thinking it made her look bad somehow. Next up: More Biden-eating-ice cream photos. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1537 "2024-03-19T13:07:27Z")
Oh, Biden is just showing off. Like Obama windsurfing. Trump could do that if he wanted to. He could walk down stairs **and** windsurf, probably both at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1538 "2024-03-19T14:16:41Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Biden is walking down the steps at the same speed as Mike Johnson who is in front of him most of the way. Should we worry about the Speaker’s “vigor”? No, no, no. You don’t see it? Speaker Johnson was obviously sandbagging out of sheer respect. Republicans, unlike Democrats, do that. Respect for the office. Respect for their elders. Respect for their superiors. That’s what values are. /s OK, I shouldn’t have done that. I think I hurt something serious here. I might have to go see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1539 "2024-03-19T14:19:27Z")
All sarcasm detectors on the western hemisphere have just overloaded and blew up, I hope you are happy. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1540 "2024-03-19T14:24:08Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > [RNC Research:] > [https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1768708716235313526](https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1768708716235313526) > “Biden slowly descends the Capitol steps” WHA? I finally watched the video. Biden is not **slowly descending** the steps. He’s walking down the steps at a perfectly normal pace. [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=76) [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=78)