Martin Longman takes a look at how Johnson remains as hamstrung by the Chaos Caucus as McCarthy was. The emerging issue of a government shutdown will give us an answer to the question "Is our Republicans learning?"
Basically, we are headed for a shutdown in mid-November. Even if the House could pass a budget in time (I doubt they will) their horror show of a budget will not get passed the Senate or Biden. At which point, there will need to be a compromise budget. Anyone think the GOP hardliners will allow a compromise to occur?
So what will Johnson do? A Continuing Resolution brought down McCarthy, so the question is, would Johnson bring forth a CR to allow a few weeks to finish the budget negotiations? Would Gaetz pull the ripcord again? What are Johnson's feelings about a motion to vacate? Gaetz's? Having proven what a bunch of dipshits they are, will they simply avoid another crisis of their own making? Was the real issue just McCarthy and Johnson's credentials as an American Taliban enough to protect him?
Longman mentions a discharge petition, which could allow for a bill Johnson doesn't want a vote on to be brought to a vote. The same math applies. Are there about 10 Republicans who don't want to shutdown the government? Who want to fund Ukraine's defense? On the one hand, it would allow Johnson to avoid calling a vote on a bill that might lead to a motion to vacate. On the other, it would make him look like an impotent Speaker.
The manifest insanity of the majority of the GOP House was on display for weeks. If they turn around and screw things up even more, one would hope - probably in vain - that the American people might overlook the fact that Biden is a bit too old or that gasoline costs more than we'd like and vote this fucking lunatics out of power.
I mean, the economic news seems pretty freaking good right now, so maybe we can avoid the collapse of American democracy. Again.
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