Posted on 01/03/2025 3:03:54 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
It turns out President-elect Trump was more instrumental in securing House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) position than simply giving some endorsements on social media.
During the first round of voting, three GOP lawmakers refused to vote for Johnson to remain as Speaker and instead backed other candidates. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Keith Self (R-TX) had refused to support the Speaker during the first round.
Massie had already declared that he would not vote for Johnson, referring to him as “the next Paul Ryan.”
This meant that Self and Norman were the only holdouts that could possibly be swayed. This is where Trump came in.
Both lawmakers reportedly spoke with Trump by phone call on Friday afternoon after the first round of votes were taken, according to The Hill. Norman told the news outlet by text message that “TRUMP WAS GREAT !!”
In a post on X, Self noted that his “sole focus was advancing the Trump agenda,” and he “expressed concerns to Speaker Johnson about fiscal responsibility and holding the line on deficit spending—key priorities for my constituents.”
After receiving firm assurances from the Speaker, that Republicans in the House will have strong representation during the budget reconciliation process—a cornerstone of President Trump’s agenda—I changed my initial vote.
I appreciate Speaker Johnson addressing these critical issues.
Let’s get to work!
Johnson could only afford to lose one vote to remain as Speaker. With Massie unwilling to budge, Self and Norman made the difference – with a little prodding from Trump, of course.
(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
Funny how “Hero” Massievoted 15 times for McCarthy and called his ouster “a disaster”
Seems ego and narcissism, rather then principals, were at the cause of Massie’s grandstanding.
Massie had already declared that he would not vote for Johnson, referring to him as “the next Paul Ryan.”
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Freaking hilarious considering Massie had his nose up Kevin McCarthy’s butt
Keith Self is a solid guy.
No committee assignments for Massie, primary challenger starts next Monday.
Let’s see how that works for him.
Notice that - UNLIKE Paul (Ranover ?) Ryan in 2016 - McCarthy is starting out as Speaker of the House as a visible (though maybe not as a yelling and outspoken and enthusiastic) Trump ally, "but he is starting out IN DEBT to Trump even for the initial vote for Speaker of the House.
BUT there was no Democrat to run against.
Could it be that Massie is a Dem in disguise?? Ya think??
Seems ego and narcissism, rather then principals, were at the cause of Massie’s grandstanding.
<< Could it be that Massie is a Dem in disguise?? >>
Well, his views on Israel match those of the Squad
I hope he stays on that page. Remember when Trump said they should vote for Pelosi as Speaker of the house and when she got it she stabbed him in the back.
All one needs to know is that Massie is a libertarian.
I also think they got snookered on the Continuing Resolution.
In the rinopublican party you have a choice of Tweedledee or Tweedledum. Rinos vote for rino Speakers. Until there is a NEW PARTY there will always be some version of McCarthy as Speaker. I’m sure Trump would much rather have an American patriot as Speaker.
I said several post ago Johnson would be speaker. It was nothing but show and drama. It’s what they do, like the 11th hour budget deals.
It’s nothing more more than look what I/we did.
They should all be terminated and install common sense people.
I'd rather see Congress filled with truckers, welders and plumbers than people from Harvard and Yale.
Massie is my Rep KY4.
Congressman Massie is seldom wrong on issues
Considering the porkulus Continuing Resolution Speaker Johnson tried passing, I’m inclined to think Rep Massie is spot on.
If Rep Massie is correct, he will be the first to initial Johnson’s ouster.
That a good point. This is a common problem in the South. Lots of would be Democrats switched to GOP after 1994 because the knew the could not win as Dems
Why waste time on a Speaker fight. America has much bigger fish to fry.
Do you know this about Massie?
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4287436/posts
Top DeSantis Ally Rep. Massie Calls McCarthy Ouster ‘An Unmitigated Disaster.’ [February 7, 2024
or this?
Massie somehow convinced himself to vote for McCarthy 15 times, so this principled purist routine of his is just an act.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4287436/posts
Wow that it explains a lot.
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