Let's talk about why the GOP isn't ousting Speaker Johnson.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about why the GOP isn't ousting Speaker Johnson.

Speaker of the House Johnson appears to be becoming more and more unpopular with larger and larger segments of House Republicans. Yet, they aren't tossing him out the way they did McCarthy. That seems a little vanced to people. I mean odd to people. And we have the question, “Belle, you and several others have commented on rumors that there's an effort to oust Johnson via a motion to vacate the chair. Some people are saying that they have enough people on board to trigger the vote, especially after the ACA disaster. My question is, why isn't it happening?”

There is no way for me to say for sure, but I have an idea. And I could sum it up in a single word. I could talk about DC time being different than everywhere else in the world. Or I could answer a question with a question. I think I'm going to do all three.

Why haven't they ousted Johnson? in a single word, hopelessness. A longer, more thorough answer is that DC time works differently than anywhere else. And the only days that really matter are election days or those that directly influence them. They're halfway to election day. And they're so convinced that they're going to take an L that they've been running around the country on a nationwide gerrymander spree. That's a sign of weakness and a sign that they believe the people will turn against them. But they're afraid to push back too hard against Trump's policies because he could create a day that influences the election by posting negatively about them on social media.

As it stands, Johnson has to deal with Trump. Johnson is the lightning rod for the negative press. He's the one that has to risk upsetting Trump for any push back. He's also the one leading them into the midterms that they seem pretty sure they're not going to do well in. If they asked him for following Trump's directives, the new speaker would have to chart a new course and would have to oppose Trump more frequently and potentially get that much dreaded negative social media post, calling him a rhino or whatever. It damages their reelection chances. But if they maintain the status quo, it leaves Johnson exposed and them protected. It also leaves Johnson holding the bag if they have a bad midterm election and lose the House. In short, it's good defensive politics to leave Johnson in place and let him take the heat for any midterm failure.

Now, to answer the question with a question, pretend you're a leading Republican in the House. Your friends want to nominate you to deal with Trump and take over just in time to lead the party into the midterms that may go bad. And if they do go bad, you'll be blamed for it. Do you want the job? I'm guessing you don't want it any more than any other Republican in the House wants it.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.