Required Reading

Salena Zito would like to remind you that there’s nothing new about the current chaos on Capitol Hill:

Between 1840 and the beginning of the Civil War, our nation and its political parties were so divided, so raucous, so driven by populist passions, that the House — the chamber in Washington that most reflects the temperament of the people — changed speakers every year.

Could you imagine the social-media exchange back then?

Nathaniel Banks won the House speakership in 1855, but only after fighting off 20 rivals, 133 ballots and two months of bickering.

Wouldn’t you just love to see the hashtag for that?

Read the whole thing — it’s delightful.