42. House of Discord: 21 Days of Turmoil in the Temple of Democracy and Beyond

In this episode, we will discuss the chaos that surrounded the Speaker's election, the strategies that led to Mike Johnson's appointment, and its implications for the GOP's evolution, particularly with elements still loyal to Trump's ideology. We'll  consider Johnson's potential direction as Speaker, the prospects for House functionality, and the implications for Biden's presidency and the upcoming elections. While Republican infighting made the headlines, Democrats must also take responsibility for not working with McCarthy and rallying behind a Speaker that showed some flexibility. This decision has empowered the right-wing faction, and opened a fight that Democrats may not be ready to take on. Join us as we delve into the behind-the-scenes story of the historic Speaker selection battle that kicked off the dysfunctional 118th Congress and explore what it means for our future.   Further Exploration: How long was the House without a speaker? MSNBC News - By Joe Murphy and Catherine Allen ‘‘Stop the Sexualization of Children Act’’. Mike Johnson Said Same-Sex Marriage Would Lead to People Marrying Their Pets, Wanted to Sentence Abortion Doctors to “Hard Labor” - Vanity Fair By Bess Levin 10/25/2023