MAGA doesn't appear to realize what level of schmoozing, threatening and bargaining comes with the role of Speaker. It is a tough, tough job. I was reading a list of the longest serving speakers last night. Sam Rayburn was far and away the longest serving one at over 17 years. Most of them, including Rayburn, have not served consecutive terms either. Somewhat shockingly, the 5th and 6th longest serving Speakers are Nancy Pelosi and Dennis Hastert at nearly 8 years each. Tom Foley was 10th at nearly 6.

It's a grind, and not possible unless you can manage to stitch together different factions of your party and the opposition party. Johnson is a relatively junior member with no staff. It's going to take him a long, long time to establish relationships and figure out what he's doing. This is where McCarthy clearly had an advantage.