Democratic strategist Max Burns argued House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is showing all the signs of an ex-leader.
“Increasingly ignored and overruled by his own caucus, Johnson will enter the new year with none of the influence and power traditionally associated with the speakership,” Burns wrote in a Thursday analysis for MS NOW. “If 2025 proved to be a headache for him, 2026 is shaping up to be a migraine.”
Johnson’s political situation “got a little worse on Wednesday” said Burns, when four swing state Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on extending the popular Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) expiring tax credits. This effort followed another successful push to override Johnson on the release of the Epstein files.
Johnson has other reasons tanking his popularity with his own caucus, however.
“Johnson’s time in the speaker’s chair coincided with some of the least productive terms of any Congress in history, including presiding over the longest-ever federal shutdown,” said Burns. “That’s not just bad timing on Johnson’s part — it’s a direct result of his inability to lead the House at a moment when voters want swift action from their representatives. Johnson’s colleagues now worry his tone-deafness to the problems facing voters will ultimately cost them their jobs.”
“In other words,” said Burns, “Johnson is weaker than ever — and his Republican colleagues know it.”
Burns added that the state of the swampy U.S. economy under the policies of President Donald Trump Health played a big role in Democrats’ performance in Virginia’s and New Jersey’s statewide elections, and healthcare affordability is another ferocious issue sure to raise its head in January when voters face more expensive insurance plans without the benefit of federal subsidies.
Lawmakers that sided with Democrats to override Johnson’s lock on subsidies happen to represent districts Democrats are trying to flip next year. Burns said their sudden rebelliousness can’t be a surprise as the party’s popularity continues to plummet.
“Effective leadership requires strong character and firm values. Johnson lacked both, and now his caucus is moving on without him,” said Burns.
Read the MS NOW report at this link.