Staff Reports
In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been elected as the new Speaker of the House, garnering support from every single Republican (except for Wisconsin’s Derrick Van Orden who is away in Israel). This has left Democrats feeling dejected as their previous strategy of using a Speakerless House to undermine the GOP majority is no longer viable.
Johnson’s victory seems well-deserved as he possesses a solidly conservative track record and has successfully collaborated with various factions within the Republican conference. Notably, he has been defended by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) who boldly silenced a reporter questioning Johnson’s alleged efforts to “overturn” the 2020 presidential election.
How generous. CNN’s @GloriaBorger frets @RepMikeJohnson is “hard to demonize” and though he’s “hugely conservative” she concedes “he’s not the devil incarnate.” pic.twitter.com/UG9lkRNBPY
— Brent Baker ?? ?? (@BrentHBaker) October 25, 2023
Predictably, the main gripe Democrats and the media have about Johnson is his pro-life stance and being labeled an “election denier.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who himself questioned the legitimacy of the 2016 election, aimed a swipe at Johnson prior to passing on the gavel. “Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. He’s doing a great job under difficult circumstances—and no amount of election denialism will ever change that reality,” declared Jeffries.
However, Democrats will find it difficult to cast Johnson as an “extremist.” Even CNN’s left-wing political analyst, Gloria Borger, acknowledged this fact before the vote. According to Borger, Johnson is not an easy target for demonization and lacks the fiery nature of someone like Jim Jordan. She described Johnson as a serious and conservative individual who can also engage with moderates. Borger’s remarks demonstrate that Johnson’s presence is a significant problem for Democrats and their media allies who desperately seek to vilify him but lack the necessary credibility.
Without prior knowledge of Mike Johnson, the more one learns about him, the more likable he becomes. It is evident that he has managed to rattle all the right cages, which only strengthens his appeal. As events continue to unfold, it will be interesting to witness how Johnson handles crucial matters such as Ukraine aid.
Certainly, Democrats and the media will make every effort to undermine Johnson, but in doing so, they reveal their own desperation. It is clear that Johnson’s rise to power has struck a chord with those who have been longing for a strong conservative leader. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development.
