How Mike Johnson (and Donald Trump) did it

Politico ^ | 01/04/2025 07:01 AM EST | Rachael Bade

[SoConPubbie]

The embattled speaker enlisted the president-elect to neutralize his rivals. It worked — this time.

Speaker Mike Johnson was sitting inside Mar-a-Lago on New Year’s Day, talking legislative strategy with President-elect Donald Trump, when the conversation turned to the troublesome conservative hardliners who might trip up the Republican agenda — and one in particular, Rep. Chip Roy.

[mad_as_he$$]

Sausage and politics...

[SoConPubbie]

Sausage and politics...

I was pleasantly surprised by the objective, non-partisan article by Politico of all places. Real journalism.

[marktwain]

Not as bad as I expected.

Could politico have seen the writing on the wall?

[ComputerGuy]

“Why blow a once in a generation opportunity on sideshows?”

[Fireone]

I was, also.
I kept waiting for the anti Trump zinger, and it never came!
Surprised!

[avital2]

to me the bigger story was the purported 15-20 who could have cast “nessage” votes - who did not, but rather fell in
line on 1st ballot - like MTG. there seemed to be some effective whipping going on - and they need plenty of it.

[nathanbedford]

Here we have an interesting account of the mechanics and personalities involved in the narrow reelection of Johnson to the speakership but precious little was offered to illuminate the fundamental issue that divides all.

The key to understanding this divide is to know whether a given Republican believes that America is in a headlong rush over a financial cliff or that Republican is indifferent to that eventuality and simply believes that it won't happen or will not happen in the near term.

Those who rationalize not seriously dealing with budgeting by the federal government because a sovereign bond crisis is not an immediate existential threat, usually tell us that it can be solved by attacking waste, fraud and abuse or that we can grow our way out of the deficit. Whatever the public rationalization is, of one thing we can be as sure and certain of as death and taxes, the problem, they will say, can be solved without touching Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid.

Donald Trump is in the camp that we can grow our way out of the deficit and, truly, it is naïve to judge any politician who refrains from committing political suicide. Campaigning by telling Americans that he is going to raise their taxes, cut their Social Security or interfere with their basic healthcare needs is a politician looking for a lobbying job.

In his first administration Donald Trump sought to grow our way out of the deficit and he might have succeeded had it not been for the onset of Covid. The climb today is clearly steeper and more daunting than it was in 2017, the debt is worse, the deficit is worse, economy is weaker.

Chip Roy, I believe, views our fiscal destiny as the most important crisis threatening the very existence of the Republic. If one contemplates Indebting the country by $1 trillion every 100 days, one must seriously fear these are end times. These are not just the times that try men's souls, these are the times that require patriots to do whatever is legally necessary to save the nation.

Men on both sides of this divide are man of character and judgment. I side with those who believe the emergency is upon us. Equally, I also believe no one can pilot the ship through these Shoals but Donald Trump.

So I have to believe that he will be able to cobble together enough cuts and grow the economy fast enough to keep the bond market vultures away from the bond window until he can turn the economic ship around.

[technically right]

Wow! Get in line or else. How refreshing. That’s usually how the Democrats do it.

[BobL]

McCain Jr. (Massie) isn’t mentioned once, but Trump does have a lonnnngggg memory...

[sgt_lau]

I was also shocked that Politico wrote this. I kept thinking: “This is from Politico?”

[thinden]

nancy mace has come a long way since she’s been in DC

she’s making much better decisions now that she’s aligned with trump & America First agenda

[USS Alaska]

McCain Jr. (Massie) isn’t mentioned once, but Trump does have a lonnnngggg memory...

Elon should put up big bucks and primary this selfish prick and then ram bamboo under his toe nails.

Such a self centered, arrogant guy who claims to be "the most conservative member of congress" wants it only his way, or he'll burn it down.

You can not trust this guy.

[quantim]

Totally agree on fiscal solvency and have since the Nixon days. There is no way out of this mess as the GOPe/uniparty and the voters will not change until total collapse. I suspect The Big Cave-In will happen towards the end of the decade or $40,000,000,000,000 in debt whichever comes first. I saw firsthand what happened in Detroit aka “the arsenal of democracy” as collapsing started in the late 50’s. At first it was red vs. blue and red moved out, (aka suburban sprawl) the tax base was crushed and riots ensued as one of the great cities on the planet turned into the largest ghetto in North America. Other once great cities are well on their way and is only a matter of time.

I heard Charlie Kirk (and a couple others) suggest that Congressional reps get $2,000,000 or more bucks EACH...for balancing the budget. Was aghast for about 2 seconds then realized this might save the country as nothing else well. Then again we’ll have riots and likely civil war if this nation collapses if there is no more handouts by the billions and trillions.

[tired&retired]

Johnson screwed up on the last battle by negotiating with the Democrats. He needs to apologize individually to the Republican Freedom Caucus and ask forgiveness.

That’s a BIG screw up and it puts to question his commitment to MAGA.

I agree, he had to become speaker right now to get the Trump Train moving.

[bert]

Johnson is Speaker of the House. Speaking with Democrats is part of the job.

Unlike many Freepers, the Speaker of the House can not be an isolationist zealot. He is American

[tired&retired]

Speaking with and surrendering to are two different things.

That bill was atrocious as he negotiated it.

I hate to say it, but Johnson needs to use some of Pelosi’s rules. Join the group or there are big consequences. Heck Pelosi even got Manchin to comply.

[Eccl 10:2]

“Such a self centered, arrogant guy who claims to be “the most conservative member of congress” wants it only his way, or he’ll burn it down.”

########################

Describes a lot of Freepers here.

IMHO, the best way to advance true conservatism is to just keep moving the chains, and thereby bringing converts (votes) into the fold. There are times to throw downfield, but you have to pick your spots.

Nobody ever gets all they want all the time. A smooth transition at this point is critical. Build your house upon the rock.

[Max_850]

Speaking with Dems is one thing. Trying to push through a CR that was totally written by and for the Dems and blindsiding all the R’s in Congress with it is another.

[bray]

Bunch of made up lies disguised as news. There was no second choice and all the MAGA candidates knew it.