# 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:** 92
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1821 "2024-05-01T18:21:34Z")
Not likely. While the argument that your hypothetical challenger makes would be entirely accurate, its a bit too strategically minded to be comprehended by the GOP primary audience. To win them over the answer is always to move further towards far right purity. So even if in the end it hurts her party big time, as long as she can say that she stood up against a Democrat supported RINO speaker she’s golden. Where its going to hurt is with any Republicans who support Johnson. Those are probably going to be swing state Republicans whose districts are competitive and so are possible Democratic pickups. They will be cast as a Democrat enabler which will hurt them in their primary, and may also convince some of their base to stay home in the general. The same could theoretically be true for certain Democrats who vote for Johnson, but since I haven’t heard a lot of condemnation from the far left on Jefferies’ decision to support Johnson (probably because they understand that getting a liberal speaker is a pipe dream) it seems as though it will be minimal. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1822 "2024-05-01T18:24:02Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > …Democrats to have to go their primaries having supported a Republican Christian for the speaker position… She might be surprised to learn that supporting a Christian would be fine with many, if not most, Democrats. And Dems don’t categorically and universally demonize Republicans the way Pubs do Democrats. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1823 "2024-05-01T18:27:17Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > While the argument that you hypothetical challenger makes would be entirely accurate, its a bit too strategically minded to be comprehended by the GOP primary audience. True, but the hypothetical “More MAGA than Margie” candidate won’t be constrained by our tendency to stick to making good arguments. They’ll have one ad campaign for the smart people that lays it out in detail, and then another “Loser Empty Greene lost! Don’t vote for that loser who lost! What are you, a loser too? You gonna cry about loser Greene losing again?” campaign. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1824 "2024-05-01T18:43:21Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > She might be surprised to learn that supporting a Christian would be fine with many, if not most, Democrats. And Dems don’t categorically and universally demonize Republicans the way Pubs do Democrats. And that Democrats want the government to… do things, especially worthy things. Even if that means working with a Republican to get things done. The problem arises when a Dem goes off on their own to make sure a partisan Republican thing gets done. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1825 "2024-05-01T18:44:47Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > And Dems don’t categorically and universally demonize Republicans the way Pubs do Democrats. I’m not so sure about that. There are many Dems, on this board even, that equate being Republican with the worst of MAGA. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1826 "2024-05-01T18:46:50Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > And that Democrats want the government to… do things, especially worthy things. Even if that means working with a Republican to get things done. She is not surprised by that. In fact, she uses that as one reason Johnson needs to be removed. That he’s actually acting as the Speaker of the House and not Speaker of the Freedom Caucus. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1827 "2024-05-01T18:51:07Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > There are many Dems, on this board even, that equate being Republican with the worst of MAGA. AFAIC, I no longer see much difference between “Republican” and “the worst of MAGA.” If someone is voting for Republicans in general elections they’re enabling MAGA, no matter what their beliefs or motivations are. So what’s the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1828 "2024-05-01T18:55:53Z")
We should start a pool. How many nay votes on the motion to table or aye votes on the motion to vacate (whichever comes first) will there be. I’m thinking about 30 but even that might be high. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1829 "2024-05-01T19:00:32Z")
“Categorically and universally.” Didn’t say there weren’t **any** or any on this board. Dems haven’t accused Republicans of serving pizzas featuring the body parts of trafficked children. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1830 "2024-05-01T19:01:28Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > The MAGAs hate losers, so I think this is going to cost her. MAGA _love_ a loser. They love Trump. They love the Freedom Caucus, even though they’ve gotten rolled on every single thing they’ve tried to accomplish. They love Kari Lake, even though she lost the AZ governor’s race. They love the Capitol insurrectionists, even though they failed to stop the electoral count. They don’t mind if you lose as long as you’re _fighting_. And that’s what MTG is doing with this motion to vacate. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > How many nay votes on the motion to table or aye votes on the motion to vacate (whichever comes first) will there be. I’m thinking about 30 but even that might be high. The first (and only) vote will be on the motion to table, with an “aye” vote keeping Johnson in the Speaker’s chair. I’ll say 50 nays. It’s essentially a free vote for any Republicans who want to appease their right flanks, since they know Johnson won’t be removed. I also think there will be some Democrats who buck their leadership on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1831 "2024-05-01T19:02:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Didn’t say there weren’t **any** or any on this board. Dems haven’t accused Republicans of serving pizzas featuring the body parts of trafficked children. To be fair, the Republicans limited that accusation to only Hillary - not **all** Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1832 "2024-05-01T19:02:49Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > MAGA _love_ a loser. They love Trump. But Trump hates a loser. That’s why it cost her. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1833 "2024-05-01T19:24:51Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > > How many nay votes on the motion to table or aye votes on the motion to vacate (whichever comes first) will there be. I’m thinking about 30 but even that might be high. > > The first (and only) vote will be on the motion to table, with an “aye” vote keeping Johnson in the Speaker’s chair. I’ll say 50 nays. It’s essentially a free vote for any Republicans who want to appease their right flanks, since they know Johnson won’t be removed. I also think there will be some Democrats who buck their leadership on this one. My guess is it’ll be 10 to 15 votes to get rid of Johnson. It’ll be the usual crowd on the Republican side like MTG, Boebert, Beavis (Jim Jordan) and Butthead (Matt Gaetz). For the Democrats it’ll be AOC, Ilhan Omar, and maybe a few others on the far left. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1834 "2024-05-01T19:34:51Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > …Beavis (Jim Jordan) and Butthead (Matt Gaetz)… I laughed. 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1835 "2024-05-01T20:40:49Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Man, despite everything we’ve seen in the last few years, deep down I didn’t really believe she’d be _this_ stupid. Never underestimate the power of stupidity- and the power of a stupid person grandstanding. Remember, her house seat is in doubt. > [@Horatius](#): > > If the people in her district start to see her as a loser This is georgia- they have over 200 memorials, statutes, etc to the CSA losers. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Dems haven’t accused Republicans of serving pizzas featuring the body parts of trafficked children. Well, umm err- blushes- since every MAGA accusation has been a confession, I have said there _might_ be a MAGA owned pizza parlor with some very unpleasant things going on. 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1836 "2024-05-01T20:59:19Z")
In an, uh, _unsophisticated_ district like MTG’s, visibility counts for more than legislative competence. She’s seen constantly _fighting for them_. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1837 "2024-05-01T21:21:21Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > And Dems don’t categorically and universally demonize Republicans the way Pubs do Democrats. > > I’m not so sure about that. There are many Dems, on this board even, that equate being Republican with the worst of MAGA. What is it the cool kids say? “I feel _seen_.” But just to clarify, it’s not a sin to _be_ a Republican; it’s just a sign to vote for one (or otherwise consent to one making public policy). ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1838 "2024-05-01T21:38:33Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > There are many Dems, on this board even, that equate being Republican with the worst of MAGA. Based on voting records over the past 8 years, there is little difference. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1839 "2024-05-01T22:10:04Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > We should start a pool. > How many nay votes on the motion to table or aye votes on the motion to vacate (whichever comes first) will there be Did someone say “poll”? How many nay votes on the motion to table, or aye votes on the motion to vacate (assuming these will be approximately the same) do you think there will be? (You have to round your estimate to the nearest poll value. Sorry, Too many Representatives for Discourse) _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-2023-10-25/991432/1839))_ ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-revolving-speakership-of-the-118th-congress-mike-johnson-is-new-speaker-as-of-2023-10-25/991432/1840 "2024-05-05T07:07:52Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > How exactly this will blow up in her face remains to be seen. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pXI1PDTp5gk/hqdefault.jpg "Coyote Explosion") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXI1PDTp5gk) [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=91) [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=93)