The House voted today on their speaker for the next two years, and Sherm Packard will retain the gavel. Rep. Kim Rice had mounted a challenge to his leadership for some pretty good reasons, which I have learned.
There’s no point in getting into that now, but Packard remains the speaker, and his leadership team presumably will remain the same. I want to offer a suggestion. Based on the input I’ve since received from the challengers, at least a few folks are not pleased with the existing leadership package or how it operates.
I know Len Turcotte had some concerns that encouraged him to try to win the caucus support for Speaker, which failed. Kim Rice had some problems, so she was willing to try to Jasper her way into the job with the Democratic votes and enough Republicans who are the majority.
I have heard that this was bad and good. In other words, there are mixed interests and perceptions about how the last session was “managed.” True enough – a 40+ seat majority (this session) differs from a one or two-seat majority. (last session). Whipping takes on a whole different meaning.
But Sherm ought to sit down with these folks and have a chat, or another one, and see what they can do to get us all pointed in the proper direction. There is no excuse for not getting whatever we want passed out of the House and to a Super Majority Republican Senate that – despite its traditional RINO (protect the governor) tendencies – could run good bills to Governor Ayotte’s desk like shit through a goose.
You all need to get your acts together. The Dems are rumored to be working on taking it all back in 2026. Big budget, big money campaign efforts planned. We can’t say what will happen between now, and then that would inspire voters to embrace the totalitarian tyranny of leftist rule, but midterms don’t go well for Republicans in power, so keep that in mind.
