As the new House speaker, chosen almost out of the blue under historically bizarre circumstances, Mike Johnson (R-LA) suddenly must shift from a parochial focus to national responsibilities. This is especially true regarding foreign policy and national defense, on some areas of which his views are not those of the American majority.

WEAK, OBSCURE CHALLENGE TO BIDEN SETS OFF DEMOCRATIC WAR. Have you heard of Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN)? Most people haven't. He is a Democratic member of Congress from Minnesota's 3rd District, which includes the suburbs around Minneapolis. Fifty-four years old, he has been in office since January 2019. He has not done anything particularly remarkable in that time, although he is usually listed as one of the 25 wealthiest members of Congress, mostly from investments of family money.