Boebert Gets Speaker Johnson’s Backing For Colorado’s 4th!

I have to admit I was stunned to see this news. What a start to the day! There was already tension in Colorado over Rep. Lauren Boebert’s abandoning her current Congressional District to run in a more solidly GOP one. Sure, she was in trouble where she was. Despite the solid (not huge, but solid) Republican lean of the Colorado 3rd Bobo only won re-election in 2022 by around five hundred votes. She was facing the same challenger who now has name recognition there and is MUCH better funded. Toss in her little “show” at the theater in Denver and it’s no wonder she decided to seek out a place with a twenty point (plus) GOP advantage. Ken Buck retiring from his seat in the 4th District was the answer to a prayer for her. The problem was that there are already candidates who were running and one was in great position to take over the seat. Charges of carpetbagging started up right away so even getting through the primary in the 4th was a tall order for Bobo. Enter House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Look, I have to admit several completely inappropriate wisecracks came to mind when I saw the headline to the article by The Independent about Speaker Johnson endorsing Bobo the Clown in the upcoming primary.  The dark and frankly nasty wordplay jokes write themselves and I’ll leave the innuendo to late night comics. What matters is this:

“I am proud to endorse and fully support her campaign for Colorado’s 4th congressional district”, wrote Mr. Johnson in a press release blasted out Thursday morning by the Boebert campaign.

Top Party officials in Colorado aren’t happy about Bobo’s ploy. While some Republicans out there think there’s a better chance of holding the seat Bobo has abandoned with another candidate there are some who think she’s still their best shot. We’ll never know. Over in the 4th things were moving smoothly for a hard fought but normal primary and the winner easily racking up a huge win over whatever Democrat runs. With Bobo in the mix the accusations flying back and forth “RINO vs. Carpetbagger” are going to damage whomever emerges. It’s still doubtful a Democrat can win the seat but the GOP will have to expend resources to shore it up and state GOP Parties are strapped for cash these days.

That’s what makes Johnson getting involved so intriguing.  It’s too early to say how much of a boost Bobo will get from Johnson’s endorsement. It will help to be sure but plenty of Republicans in Colorado were happy she wasn’t their Representative. My guess is that what was, with Bobo running that primary was already going to be a mud-wrestling match. Now it’s going to be a sh*t show. However, Johnson is vulnerable as hell right now and the timing of this sure is worth considering. There are still not one but TWO deadlines looming for keeping the government funded/open.

With another GOPer leaving Congress on the 21st to take over running Youngstown State back in Ohio Johnson only has a three vote margin at the moment. He needs to shore up support and right now.  The GOP is going to have enough trouble already holding on to its majority after November and there are an awful lot of House GOPers in competitive Districts who’ve already stuck their necks out lately. Only the Free-DUMB caucus wants a shutdown. It’s not crazy to think Johnson is panicking:

But her endorsement from Mr Johnson does reveal one thing: The continued pressure that Mr Johnson faces to maintain alliances with far-right members of his caucus who often do not get along with the Republican centre. Now with just a seven-seat majority in the lower chamber, Mr Johnson needs to keep up warm relations with just about every single member of his caucus in order to both maintain his position as speaker and pass legislation. Democrats have shown no willingness to help save a Republican speaker like Mr Johnson from revolts within his own caucus that could end in his removal.

Remember, Johnson faces the same issue McCarthy did. Any single Republican can call for a vote to Vacate the Chair. Just by punting already on govt. funding so everyone could go home and enjoy their holiday season has some wanting him gone. Frankly, I don’t see how he lasts as Speaker for much longer no matter what. However, now that he’s in the job with that power (which can be intoxicating enough that many a person has self-destructed once they’ve gotten real power) and the extra cash (he apparently needs it) he desperately wants to keep it. Johnson has I think gotten tunnel vision and the “tunnel” points to “how do I last until tomorrow?” He wakes up with that thought in his head every day and it dominates his thinking until he goes to bed at night.

Given that, it’s not hard to imagine Bobo telling him she expected HIS support and right now or she wouldn’t promise to support him/his plan in the budget fight. Here’s where it gets mind-bending. What is Johnson promising to others who are making demands? MTG is another useless gadfly with a too-large profile and she and Bobo stopped being pals a long time ago. There could be, or within days will be a new variation of internecine warfare in the House GOP.

This is going to be something to watch. I predict some sudden bursts of fallout in the weeks ahead. Not to mention all manner of dirty jokes.