Mike Johnson may have been the answer all along

This was likely the best outcome after all. But the honeymoon will be over soon. Johnson seems like someone who can take it.

Bitter GOP fighting has been worth it

I'm convinced this was the best possible outcome for Republicans.

I'm very sad Jim Jordan wasn't able get the nod. But maybe this was for the best. I believe you're going to like this guy. I've heard a lot of things about Mike Johnson both positive and negative over the last few weeks. But I'll go with what I know here. I was introduced to him a few years ago by another Member who is a friend. Mike was engaging and thoughtful and very intelligent. I filed that away and some months after that I ran into him again. He remembered me when I mentioned the previous meeting. Same thing. Very positive. And you see a confidence in the man that isn't fake or contrived. Since then, I've paid close attention to his legislative efforts as I do of many Members. I see his capability as a Congressman as in the testimony questions with Wray below. And I also see his skill at handling media as below also. This is very encouraging. His voting record on Conservative Review’s Liberty Score is 74%. Daniel Horowitz's scoring system is the Gold Standard in DC. That's not as high as I like. But in terms of #TheSwamp, that's higher than I've come to expect of anyone other than Jim Jordan who might ever become Speaker. 13 years of discomfort between the “Tea Party” base of the party and Speakers of the House led to the rancorous battle for Speaker in January. Kevin McCarthy finally made a deal after 15 votes. But as with every GOP Speaker since John Boehner, the disdain for the House Freedom Caucus wing of the caucus was palpable. And fights over spending led to Matt Gaetz’ the Motion to Vacate. After watching the video below, it’s obvious Republicans have come back together. And you’ll note some of the most vocal opponents of Kevin McCarthy standing there with Johnson. The comraderie is real and obvious.

Check out this video of the press conference last night to see the unanimous support

What happens today? Is this a big win for the GOP?

The House will convene at Noon today to take up the vote for Speaker. From what I can tell so far, Mike Johnson is going to have unanimous support on the floor today. And I predict good things to come even with all the challenges Johnson is about to face. From what I've experienced personally and by watching from afar, I'm convinced this is going to work out well. And Democrats are going to have a difficult challenge afterward.

Johnson defended Trump on impeachment and fought weaponization of Government

Are you curious about Mike Johnson’s commitment to opposing the Deep State? Take a look at this video of Mike Johnson’s statement on the weaponization of the FBI against American citizens on social media.

Also, Johnson was a strong opponent of the Impeachment of Donald Trump. This statement gives a flavor of his position on the issue. He later was part of the legal team defending the President in the Senate.

Some final insights

1. No one is going to remember these last few weeks next year. The GOP will have no negatives related to that. And I believe they will expand their majority in the House.

2. Johnson will be savagely attacked by Democrats who will do anything they can to destroy him. Watch for alot of discussion about his participation in the Trump impeachment defense. That'll backfire as he was competent and skilled in those efforts.

3. As that makes the rounds, Trump supporters are going to be reintroduced to Mike Johnson, and they will take to him positively. That will help his efforts.......and maybe breed suspicion among the Never Trumpers in the House GOP ranks.

4. Johnson's greatest foes will be from his own Caucus after this honeymoon period. The appropriators who bashed Jordan will (at a minimum privately) come to dislike him. But I think he may be able to navigate that. At least we'll see.

5. Because fellow Congressmen like Lauren Boebert, Jim Banks, Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan as well as his fellow Louisianan Steve Scalise like him, there are a broad array of conservative members of the Caucus who may finally be quite willing to work more closely with leadership. That hasn't happened since the Gingrich era. But I caution that as with Gingrich, goodwill can also break apart if conservatives are undermined. I don't see Johnson doing that. But there are real pressures coming his way. Let's see what happens after today.