Former Speaker Newt Gingrich Expresses Support for Mike Johnson: 'I could never do his job'
The House is set to convene on Friday to elect a new speaker. With Republicans anticipated to hold a narrow majority, Johnson can only permit one defection.
TroibNews 
Newt Gingrich, who played a pivotal role in leading House Republicans during much of Bill Clinton's presidency, is offering his backing to the struggling speakership of Mike Johnson.
“I tell everybody, I was a pretty effective speaker. I could never do his job,” Gingrich remarked during an interview on 77 WABC with John Catsimatidis. “He has no margins. Any two or three members can rebel at any moment.”
The House is scheduled to convene on Friday to elect a new speaker. With Republicans holding a narrow 219-215 majority, Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one member's support if he hopes to retain his position.
Rep. Thomas Massie has already indicated he will vote for another candidate, and both Scott Perry and Andy Harris, who lead the House Freedom Caucus, have expressed uncertainty about how they will cast their votes.
“I think that Mike has done an admirable job under tough conditions, but I'm going to keep my options open,” Perry stated last Friday on Fox Business. “I want to have a conversation with Mike.”
Many Republicans have criticized Johnson's management of a short-term government funding measure set for December, which required support from Democrats to pass through the House. This funding package has faced opposition from 34 Republican members.
The legislation is designed to keep the government funded until March 14 and allocates over $110 billion for disaster relief.
Gingrich characterized the situation as a success story.
“When you have no margin, and you have to maneuver and listen and maneuver and listen, that is how the Constitutional process works,” he commented.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
“I tell everybody, I was a pretty effective speaker. I could never do his job,” Gingrich remarked during an interview on 77 WABC with John Catsimatidis. “He has no margins. Any two or three members can rebel at any moment.”
The House is scheduled to convene on Friday to elect a new speaker. With Republicans holding a narrow 219-215 majority, Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one member's support if he hopes to retain his position.
Rep. Thomas Massie has already indicated he will vote for another candidate, and both Scott Perry and Andy Harris, who lead the House Freedom Caucus, have expressed uncertainty about how they will cast their votes.
“I think that Mike has done an admirable job under tough conditions, but I'm going to keep my options open,” Perry stated last Friday on Fox Business. “I want to have a conversation with Mike.”
Many Republicans have criticized Johnson's management of a short-term government funding measure set for December, which required support from Democrats to pass through the House. This funding package has faced opposition from 34 Republican members.
The legislation is designed to keep the government funded until March 14 and allocates over $110 billion for disaster relief.
Gingrich characterized the situation as a success story.
“When you have no margin, and you have to maneuver and listen and maneuver and listen, that is how the Constitutional process works,” he commented.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
