Although Johnson won on the first ballot [View all]

The thug element of the Repuke party made its point. With 3 votes for another candidate and 6 members not answering the roll call when their names were first called, they demonstrated that they have the necessary 9 members willing to petition Johnson to vacate the Speakership if he crosses them.

I thought 9 members would vote for a different candidate on the first round and change to Johnson on the second ballot (well, 8 anyway) to make this point. But they did it a different way but made the same point.

With dozens of Republican members unwilling to pass a budget or raise the debt ceiling without dramatic cuts in spending, there is no way Johnson can govern without Democratic support. And the rogue element of his party will punish him for compromising the Dems.

Good luck and pass the popcorn.