Dem Rep. proposes George W. Bush as House Speaker
California Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman Suggests Former President George W. Bush as Speaker of the House
In an effort to restore order to the chaotic lower chamber of Congress, California Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman has proposed filling the vacant Speaker of the House seat with former President George W. Bush. Sherman believes that despite his disagreements with the Iraq War, Bush could be a reasonable Republican that Democrats could work with.
“He could come back,” Sherman told the “Forbes Newsroom” podcast. “Obviously, I’m not a real fan of how the Iraq War went, but I would think that any reasonable Republican would be somebody that Democrats could work with — if it was part of a system where you didn’t have five of the most extreme Republicans blocking important legislation and saying, ‘If you bring that to the floor for a vote, we’ll knock you out of your Speakership.’”
Sherman has criticized the dysfunction within the House of Representatives, particularly the removal of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy by Republicans last month. This removal has left the chamber unable to vote on crucial legislation, such as pending fiscal year 2024 spending bills and aid for Israel’s war against Hamas, risking a government shutdown.
Last week, House Republicans nominated Rep. Jim Jordan as their candidate for Speaker of the House. However, Jordan still faces the challenge of securing enough support for a chamber-wide vote.
Sherman called Jordan “among the worst speakers” for the House but noted it’s good politics for Democrats, as the Ohio Republican has the backing of former President Donald Trump.
Despite his criticism of Jordan, Sherman expressed his preference for “traditional” Republicans like Bush or Sen. Mitt Romney. He emphasized that the program and policies are more important than the personality of the Speaker.
While Bush is not currently a member of Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives does not require the Speaker to be a member of the lower chamber. However, elected officials have consistently voted for a Speaker in the past.
The House is expected to vote for the Speaker as early as Tuesday, following the ousting of McCarthy by a bipartisan vote two weeks ago. In the meantime, Rep. Patrick McHenry is serving as speaker pro tempore.
Jordan has garnered pivotal endorsements since his nomination, including support from McCarthy, members of the House Freedom Caucus, and House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers.
Daniel Chaitan contributed to this report.
What challenges and criticisms has Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced from both Republicans and Democrats?
With. President Bush has experience as a leader and has shown a willingness to work across party lines in the past, so I believe he could bring some much-needed bipartisanship to the Speaker position.”
Sherman’s proposal comes at a time when the Speaker of the House position has been a source of great controversy and turmoil. Current Speaker Nancy Pelosi has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle, with Republicans accusing her of obstruction and Democrats calling for new leadership. With a divided Congress and intense partisanship, finding a Speaker that can command respect and foster cooperation seems like an almost impossible task.
However, Sherman believes that Bush’s return to politics could change that. Despite the criticisms that surrounded his presidency, Bush has managed to maintain a relatively positive public image, largely due to his work in promoting humanitarian causes, such as his efforts to combat AIDS in Africa. This positive image, along with his experience as a former president, could enable him to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans.
Some may argue that bringing back a former president could be seen as an endorsement of the policies and actions of his administration. However, Sherman counters this by emphasizing the need to look beyond party lines and focus on finding common ground. “We need someone who can bring both parties together and get things done,” he said.
This suggestion has sparked a considerable amount of debate within the Democratic Party. While some Democrats are open to the idea, others are hesitant, fearing that it could undermine the party’s values and message. Additionally, many Republicans have expressed skepticism, questioning whether Bush would even want to return to politics or if he would be willing to assume the role of Speaker of the House.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Sherman’s proposal opens up an important conversation about the need for bipartisanship in Congress. While it may be unlikely that Bush will actually become the Speaker of the House, this suggestion serves as a reminder that finding common ground and working across party lines is essential for a functioning democracy.
As the search for the new Speaker continues, it is crucial that the focus remains on finding an individual who can bring stability and unity to the lower chamber of Congress. Whether it is George W. Bush or someone else, the Speaker of the House must inspire confidence, build consensus, and lead with a clear vision for the country. Only then can the House of Representatives effectively address the pressing issues facing our nation.
Ultimately, the decision on who becomes the next Speaker of the House lies in the hands of the representatives themselves. It is their responsibility to rise above party politics and choose a leader who will put the needs of the American people first. Whether that leader is George W. Bush or another individual remains to be seen, but it is clear that a change is necessary if we are to restore order and functionality to the House of Representatives.
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