Staff Reports
House Speaker George W. Bush: A Compromise Choice?
In a surprising move, House Democrat Rep. Brad Sherman of California suggested that former Republican President George W. Bush could potentially be a compromise choice for the vacant House Speaker position. While some may be taken aback by the idea of bringing back a former president, Sherman believes that Bush could be a reasonable Republican that Democrats could work with.
Democrat floats George W. Bush for House speakerhttps://t.co/Sep7evb5fh pic.twitter.com/iXRVLu96Vi
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 17, 2023
Although Bush is not a current member of the House, it is not a requirement for the position of speaker. Earlier this month, there were discussions among Republicans about the possibility of another living former president, Donald Trump, taking on the gavel. With the House narrowly divided, any speaker’s hold on power would be fragile. However, Sherman believes that a “Speaker Bush” could gather enough Democratic support to counteract the influence of the extreme Republicans currently blocking important legislation.
On the other hand, Sherman also lashed out against a potential alternative speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who is the GOP conference’s choice. He described Jordan as “among one of the worst speakers that we could have” and suggested that his appointment would be a political disaster for Republicans, benefiting Democrats in the long run.
While the idea of George W. Bush as House Speaker may seem far-fetched, Sherman’s proposal highlights the desperate search for a compromise in the polarized political climate of the House. Whether this idea gains traction or not, it certainly sparks an interesting conversation about the possibilities and challenges of finding common ground in today’s divided Congress.
