GOP efforts to shape Speaker Johnson's image amid extremist record

In the week since Mike Johnson went from “Mike who?” to speaker of the House, a lot of information has come out about just how extreme he is. His record of hate—not just rhetoric but legal arguments—against LGBTQ+ people is staggering. He is an anti-abortion absolutist. Republicans are out of step with the public on those two issues, and Johnson is at the far right of his party. Democrats have a duty to let the public know that this is who Republicans chose to lead the House, but here’s how CNN frames it: “Parties race to define little-known Speaker Johnson ahead of 2024 fight for House majority.”

Basically, the “race to define” Johnson boils down to this: Democrats would like voters to know about the policies he’s embraced and the things he’s said. Republicans would like voters to rest easy because Johnson doesn’t shout those things a la Jim Jordan, but says them in calm, condescending tones with a gentle smirk on his face.