# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 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-2023-10-25/991432/141 "2023-10-13T20:42:17Z")
I’m looking forward to another round of Republicans failing to elect a speaker. I’m especially looking forward to Jordan being the guy who loses the election. (In my dream world Jordan will say: “I lost? Well who won?” And someone will say: “Nobody won, you lost an election of your peers where you were the only one on the ballot.” ) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/142 "2023-10-13T20:57:40Z")
Any idea when there will be a vote? Yeah - it is unthinkable that the Repubs would elect Jordan. Same way it was unthinkable that Americans would elect Trump. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/143 "2023-10-13T20:59:27Z")
Well, I think I know who will support the new nominee… [![](https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/a7E563r_700b.jpg) ](https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/a7E563r_700b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/144 "2023-10-13T21:16:21Z")
It’s being reported that while Jordan won the majority of ballots for Speaker in the House Republican Caucus, a second secret ballot asked members whether they would vote for him on the House floor. Only 152 voted yes. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/145 "2023-10-13T21:18:23Z")
Oh, tell me they’re not going to call off the election! ---
**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 13, 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-2023-10-25/991432/146 "2023-10-13T21:19:51Z")
I think we can take that number as an upper limit. As in, if the R management was so foolish as to bring Jordan’s nomination to the floor, his actual publicly recorded total among the Rs would be well south of 152. So of course competent political party management would never bring that to the floor and certain defeat. But with competent political management in such short supply what _will_ the clown car do instead of the smart thing? ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/147 "2023-10-13T21:25:21Z")
I have the opposite view – that’s the lower limit, and many of the “no” votes did so as an anonymous protests over the process but will fall in line. That’s still 65 votes he needs to find, though. It’s not clear how long he’ll be given to find them. Unlike Scalise, I don’t see Jordan withdrawing even if it becomes clear that he’ll never get to 217. How long before members start to agitate for the House Conference to reopen the nomination? ---
**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 13, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/148 "2023-10-13T21:38:42Z")
That’s an interesting POV I had not considered. I sure can’t say you’re wrong. With this collection of clowns, I suspect none of them have any sort of consistent opinion. It’s really like a gaggle of pre-schoolers who don’t know what they want or why they (don’t) want it. A seething furball ball of bloody-minded indecision. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 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-2023-10-25/991432/149 "2023-10-13T21:57:32Z")
Deleted-I saw I’m late with the Austin Scott news. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 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-2023-10-25/991432/150 "2023-10-13T22:09:09Z")
Why hasn’t there been shitshow floor votes like we had back in January? Are the rules different now, allowing for secret ballots and such? ---
**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 13, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/151 "2023-10-13T22:15:45Z")
In a nutshell, the Rs can practice in private until they get it right, then try to do it for realsies in public with the Ds attending, abstaining, supporting, whatever. That kind of practice hasn’t been necessary in prior less f\*\*\*-ed up congresses. And wasn’t tried (much) before they tried to put McCarthy in place back in Jan. Given that managing the FC isn’t like herding cats, and more like herding rabid bobcats, I’m not sure their practice will be fruitful when they take the show out in public. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/152 "2023-10-13T22:19:05Z")
A breakthrough! > **[Republican Intern Named Zach to Be Speaker of the House](https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/republican-intern-named-zach-to-be-speaker-of-the-house?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Borowitz_10132023&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5be9f9242ddf9c72dc882f8a&cndid=52355403&hasha=0be6300c55fb477a3ffdbb00693980ed&hashb=7b7652d9702e2bb3726577883c1856fc2133cf46&hashc=9447a967ef4dac1ecdab0254b5873c8d5fd09bd241dcdc62cb7d39526c52f2d0&esrc=newsletters-form-sig&utm_term=TNY_Borowitz&fbclid=IwAR1SI1tJXoIRCYkkismTujCLKKg0Vjvbo3NpgnAnOGl0CnGWtuWipDxgO6U)** > > “This is gonna be dope,” he said. (Sad that I need to say this but: this is satire). ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/153 "2023-10-13T22:38:10Z")
What would prevent a moderate republican approaching Jeffries and saying “give me the support of all Democrats, and a dozen of my Moderate friends and I will be the speaker. Republicans will continue to chair all house committees. In exchange, we will give you no government shut down.” ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/154 "2023-10-13T22:38:25Z")
Let’s Go, Zach! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/155 "2023-10-13T22:39:46Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > What would prevent a moderate republican… A what now? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/156 "2023-10-13T22:40:22Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > In exchange, we will give you no government shut down.” Jeffries will want more than that. If he’s got any sense, that is. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/157 "2023-10-13T22:40:29Z")
You know, the 200 Republicans, who arent part of the clown show caucus. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/158 "2023-10-13T22:41:43Z")
“ … and Jim Jordan will be chair of the national wilderness outhouse committee” ---
**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 13, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/159 "2023-10-13T22:45:17Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > What would prevent a moderate republican approaching Jeffries and saying “give me the support of all Democrats, and a dozen of my Moderate friends and I will be the speaker. I don’t think they’d find a dozen Republicans to join them, since their base would see this as treason. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/160 "2023-10-13T22:51:14Z")
As mentioned above, why should the Democrats lift a finger to help the Republicans? - it would be unprecedented. Besides, screw those a-holes - let some of these so-called “moderates” develop a backbone and fix their own damn party from the inside. [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=7) [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=9)