So I was discussing the congressional chaos with a wily old friend and referred to it as a clown show. He said it wasn’t a clown show — it worked as it was supposed to, but Kevin McCarthy wasn’t the guy to elect. Thinking about it, I could see his point. The ideal scenario would have had the GOP nominating a candidate who could appeal to a few Democrats (maybe someone who would keep the Jan. 6 commission open). Instead, they stuck with McCarthy. I wonder if McCarthy knows the speakership history?

The “winner” of the longest speaker ballot was Nathaniel Banks. He became a general in the Union army and is notable for having his rear end kicked up and down the Shenandoah Valley by Stonewall Jackson. The “winner” of the second longest speaker ballot was Howell Cobb. He became a Confederate general, whose troops fought well under Robert E. Lee. Cobb’s plantation, however, was personally burned to the ground by Sherman on the March to the Sea.

McCarthy has interesting company.

Kris Weinschenker

Youngstown

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)