House Speaker Mike Johnson faces mounting pressure amid growing dissatisfaction from conservative circles.
According to Breitbart News, a recent AmericaFest straw poll revealed that 58.8 percent of attendees believe Johnson should not retain his position as Speaker of the House, while only 13.7 percent support his continued leadership.
The poll, conducted at the Phoenix Convention Center during the December 19-22 convention, exposed a significant decline in Johnson's popularity. The results, shared by Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk, painted a stark picture of Johnson's standing among conservatives, with a mere 22 percent approval rating and a substantial 62 percent expressing disapproval of his performance.
The Speaker's declining support stems largely from his handling of a controversial spending deal. Johnson drew criticism for negotiating a 1,537-page continuing resolution that included provisions many conservatives found objectionable, such as a congressional pay raise. The final spending agreement, which received unanimous Democratic support, further alienated conservative members who viewed it as a capitulation to Democratic priorities.
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky voiced his opposition to Johnson's leadership. According to Massie's statement:
I will not vote for someone other than Mike Johnson. I'm not persuaded by the 'Hurry up and elect him so we can certify the election on J6' argument. A weak legislative branch, beholden to the swamp, will not be able to achieve the mandate voters gave Trump and Congress in November.
The growing dissatisfaction has led to speculation about potential challenges to Johnson's speakership, with several members suggesting they might support alternative candidates on January 3.
A Rasmussen Reports survey reinforces the AmericaFest poll findings, showing Johnson's favorability at 38 percent, down from 44 percent in April. Only 14 percent of respondents expressed a "very favorable" impression of the Speaker, while 36 percent viewed him unfavorably, with 19 percent holding a "very unfavorable" opinion.
The poll also compared Johnson's performance to that of previous speakers, including his predecessor Kevin McCarthy. Across party lines, 41 percent of respondents considered Johnson's performance "about the same" as previous speakers. Democrats showed stronger disapproval, with 33 percent rating Johnson as worse than his predecessors, compared to 26 percent of independents and 13 percent of Republicans.
These numbers suggest a broader crisis of confidence in Johnson's leadership, extending beyond the conservative base to affect his standing among voters across the political spectrum.
The upcoming January 3 vote has become a focal point for Johnson's critics and supporters alike. The Speaker's negotiation of the controversial spending deal has emerged as a defining moment in his leadership, potentially influencing the outcome of any leadership challenges.
Johnson's position remains precarious as he navigates competing demands from different factions within the Republican Party. The split between moderate and conservative Republicans continues to widen, with the spending deal serving as a catalyst for increased opposition to his leadership.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges facing Republican leadership in the House, particularly in maintaining unity while addressing critical legislative priorities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson's tenure faces significant challenges following the AmericaFest poll results and broader surveys indicating widespread disapproval of his leadership. The controversy surrounding his negotiation of the spending deal and subsequent conservative backlash has created uncertainty about his future as Speaker. As January 3 approaches, the possibility of new leadership challenges looms, with potential ramifications for both Republican Party unity and legislative effectiveness in the House.
