While the Republicans played games and conducted a three-ring circus from Tuesday until the wee hours on Saturday morning, finally doing just what we expected all along by electing Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House after 15 ballots, the Democrats remained consistent, staying for all 15 ballots and voting unanimously for the House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries.  Nancy Pelosi left a pair of mighty big shoes to fill, but while I do not know a lot about Mr. Jeffries, from what I’ve seen he will do a good job at filling those shoes as the House Minority Leader.  His speech on Saturday, after House members had taken their oaths of office, was inspired and inspiring, and in some ways his demeanor and passion reminded me of President Obama.  He is passionate and I believe he will fight hard to work with the majority Republicans in the House, without sacrificing the values he speaks of.  His job for the next two years will not be an easy one, and he will no doubt sometimes be discouraged as he tries to work with a group of people whose values, or lack thereof, differ greatly from his own, from ours.  But if anybody can survive it and make a difference, I think Hakeem Jeffries can.  Take a look for yourself … what do you think?