Mike Johnson Has A Bold Plan To Survive Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson has indicated that he wants to keep leading House Republicans even if they lose their majority in next week's elections. That would mean seeking the minority leader's job, not somehow remaining Speaker after Democrats took control. His colleagues would have a say. None of this has happened yet.

There. A perfectly normal explanation of a possible leadership contest. We can all remain seated.

Except Johnson's expectation is that, should the party lose power, his colleagues would ask him to continue leading them. Which is a magnificent way to approach a performance review. Not merely preparing to defend the results. Preparing for everyone to beg you to keep producing them.

The customer has sent the meal back, the kitchen is filling with smoke, and the chef is waiting for the dining room to chant his name.

Now, losing an election doesn't automatically mean a leader caused the loss. Johnson's defenders say he's handled difficult circumstances and party chaos well. Fair point. Sometimes the captain inherited a terrible ship. Sometimes half the crew keeps voting to remove the water.

But there ought to be a space between acknowledging difficult circumstances and packing your office for a seamless transition into being in charge of fewer people who can accomplish less.

What do you put on that moving box? FRAGILE: CONTINUITY OF ME.

The Hill reports that Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are also viewed inside the party as potential contenders, although both have downplayed their interest. So this isn't a settled succession. It's several politicians standing beside the same chair, each maintaining that he just happens to enjoy standing precisely there.

Scalise is already majority leader. Jordan has built support of his own. Johnson may want to stay. Wonderful. The voters might order a change and receive a tasting flight of the existing management.

Who is this for? WHO? Imagine telling a regular employee that after a disastrous quarter the company will spend the next month deciding which executive deserves the best office in the smaller building.

Actually, don't imagine it. That one might be too fucking familiar.

Trump has endorsed Johnson for reelection, praising him as a winner. That's an endorsement for reelection, not a magic decree settling a future minority-leader contest. Still, the timing adds a lovely garnish to this discussion: the president celebrating the winning qualities of a man whose possible plans for losing are now news.

YOU CAN'T JUST WRITE WINNER ON THE EMERGENCY EXIT AND CALL IT A VICTORY LAP.

Johnson's office says he's focused on protecting the majority and plans to campaign in 21 districts across 13 states before Election Day. That's real work. It's also why this whole succession discussion feels like watching people argue over who gets to operate the life raft while the passengers are still being assured that the cruise is going beautifully.

Please enjoy the buffet. Leadership elections may occur during dessert.

I need a minute. We haven't even counted the votes. The country is still deciding who should run the House, and Washington has already opened the supplementary question of who should run the people who might no longer run the House.

There are nesting dolls with less management.

And then, and THEN, remember: losing power would not eliminate the need for competent opposition. A minority leader has an actual job. Organizing members. Choosing fights. Holding the majority accountable. This isn't a ceremonial title handed out with a commemorative gavel and access to the good bathroom.

Which makes the assumption of personal indispensability worse, not better. THE JOB CONTINUES. THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT CONTINUES TO BE YOURS.

If Republicans retain the House, they'll have one set of decisions. If they lose it, they'll have another. Johnson can make his case either way. His colleagues can judge the results rather than treating familiarity as a sacred qualification.

But first, let the voters finish the performance review before management starts engraving its own retention bonus.