Mike Johnson's reelection as House Speaker revealed a small but loud minority in his conference

that could threaten Republican priorities.

On that and the other political stories shaping the start of the new year, we turn to

the analysis of Brooks and K. Pard.

That is New York Times columnist David Brooks and Jonathan Kepard, Associate Editor for the Washington

Post.

Great to see you vote.

See you? Busy day on Capitol Hill. Let's talk about Mike Johnson. David, he manages to hang on

to the speaker's gavel, but not without a fight. Those few members who did choose not to back him

before they ultimately did back him on the first ballot. What does all of this say to you about the

stability of their majority

and his speakership? Yeah, well, first of his speakership. Last week, I happened to read Susan Page's

biography of Nancy Pelosi, because that's the kind of wild New Year's Eve I had. And one of the things

Pelosi says to Susan is that being a mom of five young children was the best preparation for speaker,

because you had to pay attention to five childish people with self-interest.

And being speakers kind of like that.

And I have to say he was sort of an accidental speaker.

He came in when Kevin McCarthy was deposed after a long hellish ordeal.

Right.

And I think he's done way better than I ever expected him to do.

He's managed the caucus pretty well.

He's managed Trump pretty well.

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