Perfection (enemy of the good)

Perfection (enemy of the good)

Will four times be a charm ? Kevin McCarthy is ousted as Speaker by a House GOP conspiracy led by Florida Congressman Gaetz. In the aftermath, the Conference was unable to  seat a new Gaval holder because they collectively were missing the point. The idea was to seat a new Speaker, not nit-pick every past vote that questioned one's conservative bona-fides. Some had been too close to Democrats. In any event, four rounds of voting with a total of eight Congresspeople stood for Kevin McCarthy's old job. The latest nominee is Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA)


Now, the Congressman is not a Majority Leader Scalise, or a Judiciary Chairman Jordan, or even Majority Whip Emmer, all who were not papabile to enough of their Republican colleagues the Speakership. As mentioned, however, all that was beside the point. Matt Gaetz actions were nothing less than kamikaze mission. Because Speaker McCarthy was eager to compromise, a recognition of the limits of House political power. Gaetz wanted a more confrontational approach and as he had his own problems. earlier in the year. McCarthy was not as supporter as he could have been. So, lets blow up the House and wait three weeks before a new Speaker can be tried, again.


As it happens. Congressman Mike Johnson has been elected Speaker with 220 votes when 217 were the minimum. A new Speaker would eventually have been sat but the question had always been exactly when. That being said, Johnson's will be an active term. The Appropriations process will need to continue, funding for Israel and Ukraine and there is still the impeachment inquiry on President Biden.


Because Johnosn exceeded the minimum votes required, he will be less likely to face a Sense of the House that ousted Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz, under this new regime will not be able to replicate the same issue. But what this episode has demonstrated is that having an "R" next to one's name does not necessarily mean conservative Republican. But it should mean a desire to work for a common purpose. They were elected to be on a team and ostensibly to work for common purpose. One can hope Mr. Johnson is up to that task.

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