Mike Johnson’s far-right views are a Democratic 'opposition researcher’s dream' for 2024: report
According to Never Trump conservative Charlie Sykes, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) has described House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) as "Jim Jordan in drag." Kinzinger's point is that although Johnson has a very different disposition than the flamboyant, highly performative Rep. Jordan (R-Ohio), his ultra-MAGA policies are no less extreme.
In an article published by Axios on October 26, journalist Justin Green reports that Democratic strategists and organizers are well-aware of Johnson's far-right views — and planning to use them against the GOP in general in 2024 now that Republicans have chosen Johnson as House speaker.
"New House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) didn't have a national profile until this week, but his 20-year paper trail is an opposition researcher's dream," Green explains. "Why it matters: Johnson is one of the most socially conservative speakers in modern memory — often far to the right of former President Trump — and Democrats are ready to make him a central figure in their 2024 campaigns. Johnson is making it easy on his researchers, with reams of op-eds and newspaper columns paired with legislation he's recently introduced and supported."
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Democrats, according to Green, will attack Johnson's positions on everything from abortion to same-sex marriage. An evangelical Christian fundamentalist, Johnson is a long-time ally of the Religious Right.
A Democratic strategist, quoted anonymously, told Axios, "He actually has years of material, freestyle right-wing rhetoric, that nobody has looked under the hood on."
Green notes that Johnson has a long history of anti-gay comments. In an op-ed published by the Shreveport Times on September 12, 2004, Johnson slammed same-sex marriage as an "assault on traditional values."
Johnson wrote, "Homosexual relationships are inherently unnatural and, the studies clearly show, are ultimately harmful and costly for everyone. Society cannot give its stamp of approval to such a dangerous lifestyle."
READ MORE: House Republicans privately warned Mike Johnson of 'populist rage' the day before January 6
Johnson favors severe abortion restrictions. In a January 21, 2023 tweet, the Louisiana Republican wrote, "And now… FINALLY… because Roe v. Wade was overturned last summer and Louisiana is now a proudly pro-life state — we will get the number of abortions to ZERO!! EVERYONE deserves a birthday. Thanks be to God."
Read Axios' full report at this link.
