Freedom Caucus member Trent Franks (R-AZ) here lists off a number of ‘Valley Forge Americans’ who could take the reins as House Speaker. Notably, they include hard core conservatives and Paul Ryan. For good measure he includes Newt Gingrich – remember, you don’t actually have to be in the House at all to be Speaker, though the idea has never before been seriously considered.

What’s notable here isn’t so much the list but this harrowing, ‘their finest hour’ phrase “Valley Forge Americans”, as though the US were Britain after the Fall of France or well … the US facing the early death of the republic at Valley Forge.

Quite simply they’ve actually convinced themselves that they’re in the midst of some grand world historical moment when in fact they’re just floundering in derp.

We keep hearing how the Speakership is a thankless job and all the rest. Two hundred and twenty five years and no one has ever thought that. It’s always been a job people have spent years, even decades striving for. It’s always been wanted. Until now. It’s comedy. Also, Valley Forge Americans … We all know individuals like this. It’s known as Borderline Personality Disorder. It’s a clinical diagnosis. Not sure if there’s a parallel for political parties.