Oct.30

electoral-vote.com

Dem 51

   

GOP 49

Mike Johnson, Mystery Man

Speaker James "Mike" Johnson is one of the least vetted House speakers ever. Consequently, journalists and oppo researchers are running to their computers to type "Johnson" into Google, which indeed pulls up a lot of information, not all of it relevant. Searching for "Mike Johnson" gets 167 million hits in less than half a second of trying:

One of us, namely (Z), had a college roommate named Michael Johnson, a plumber named Michael Johnson, an actor he directed in a play named Michael Johnson, a lawyer named Michael Johnson and another plumber named Michael Johnson. So, it is likely that some sizable number of those Johnsons aren't the Johnson that now runs the House of Representatives.

Nevertheless, Johnson is 51 years old and has a track record. Sooner or later, reporters are going to find it. Some themes are already starting to emerge, including these:

• Christian Nationalism: Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a historian specializing in studying evangelical politics, says that Johnson is a Christian nationalist. He believes that America was founded as a Christian nation, actual facts to the contrary (James Madison and George Washington were best described as Deists; Thomas Jefferson was attacked in his time as a "howling atheist"). For Johnson, the Constitution has to be interpreted in light of the Bible. He certainly does not believe in separation of church and state. Here are some sources on Johnson and Christian nationalism:
  
  
  • Politico: The Christian Nationalist Ideas That Drive Mike Johnson
    
  • Mother Jones: Mike Johnson's Long Flirtation With Christian Nationalism
    
  • MSNBC: Mike Johnson's Christian nationalist track record isn't a mystery—it's a tragedy
    
    
• Lack of experience: With the possible exception of Dennis Hastert, Johnson has less experience herding the cats than any speaker in over a century. And Johnson's cats aren't like Hastert's cats. They have become lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. Johnson undoubtedly sympathizes with the Freedom Caucus, but that's not his job. His job is getting 217 (soon 218) votes for legislation. He has to get most of the Biden 18 on board without antagonizing the Freedom Caucusers. Johnson has no experience even trying to do that, let alone succeeding. And he also has to think about things like: "Does this have any chance of passing the Senate?" Another animal he will have to deal with there is Turtle, who has his own thoughts on matters legislative and has a clearer idea of what can pass the Senate and what can't. When Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) was asked why Johnson won, he said: "Probably because he has the fewest enemies of anybody in the Republican Party." Not having enemies doesn't mean you can't acquire them quickly when you put concrete bills on the floor. Some sources are here:
  
  
  • Axios: Mike Johnson is the Least Experienced House Speaker in 140 Years
    
  • Politico: The Terrifying Learning Curve Facing Mike Johnson
    
  • The New Yorker: Speaker Who?: The Rise of a G.O.P. Nobody in Trump's House
    
  
  
• Lackluster fundraiser: In addition to herding the cats and petting the Turtle, the speaker is expected to raise money for House Republicans. Lots and lots of money. Johnson's never done that before. Big donors are going to want to sniff his rear end before ponying up. They may also have lists of favors they would like, some of which may be contradictory to what the FCers want. For example, Big Business types tend to like stability and predictability and don't like shutting down the government to make a point. Can he manage that? Here are some sources:
  
  
  • Politico: Mike Johnson's ascension is already sparking a cash frenzy
    
  • Punchbowl News: He's raised just $553,000 this year.
    
  • Financial Times: Questions over fundraising dog new US House Speaker
    

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Johnson spent years working for a group whose goal was to embed Christianity in the public schools. That could be a treasure trove for Democratic oppo researchers and reporters. And there could be all kinds of unknown unknowns. (V)