Speaker Mike Johnson's latest demand on President Joe Biden comes with a quiet but enormous perk for a Louisiana Republican relatively unknown before he coopted Kevin McCarthy's powerful position, according to a new political analysis.
Jim Newell, senior political reporter for Slate, revealed the unreported gain in a closer look at Republicans' calls for Biden's presidential resignation, spurred by the announcement he would not seek reelection in November.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President,” Johnson wrote in a lengthy screed Sunday. “He must resign the office immediately."
In the context of the widespread scorn Biden faces from the MAGA right, Johnson's demand appears to be little more than an additional voice in the chorus echoing former President Donald Trump's talking points.
The talking points in question — that Democrat voters have been cheated out of their candidate and Biden is unfit to serve a day longer — Newell dismisses as ridiculous considering the Republican nominee is a convicted felon who stands accused in federal court of Espionage Act violations and attempting to overturn a presidential election.
"The concern for Democratic primary voters is touching and surely heartfelt," writes a sarcastic Newell. "This is more adorable than anything. ... Happy hunting."
But Newell notes Johnson has something to gain that Republicans such as Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Trump's running mate, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) do not.
Newell points readers' attention to Republicans such as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), former Vice President Mike Pence and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) who have sent Biden messages of well wishes and respect.
“I would hope that he would stay in office,” Sessions told the BBC. “I would hope that he would complete this term — and I think the country does.”
Sessions then said of the House speaker's resignation demand, “Mike Johnson does not know what he’s talking about.”
This is when Newell takes pause.
"Maybe Johnson does, though, and he’s the only one for whom the talking point makes clear sense," Newell writes. "If Biden resigned and Harris assumed the presidency, Johnson would be next in the line of succession for the big seat."
