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Exactly. The first person I heard described as a “populist” was Jim Hightower who’s quite progressive and pro-labor. It’s not until the Tea Party that the word took on a new meaning. And considering it’s underwritten by billionaires it’s hardly real populism.
The PA GOP are now trying to push back those special elections. >

But without a GOP speaker I don’t know (I literally don’t know) if they couldn’t bring their insane ballot measures to the floor. 
I think the lawsuit was originally designed to keep control of the chamber until May and try to pass some awful ballot measures but without 102 votes they couldn’t do it. So, for the GOP, better to elevate an “independent” to the speaker role rather than a liberal democrat when the democrats potentially get over the 102 vote margin. And democrats obviously understand this as they all voted for Rizzo as well. 
I don’t know the specifics. I’m just spitballing >

As soon as he was elected, he declared himself an independent. >

That was part of the deal he made to get elected >

Correct. From what i read he will not caucus with either side. >

Little stupid of AP not to put this in the title, but it’s not like his viewpoints are changing on anything. >

Honestly, You could drown a toddler in my panties right now with the amount of schadenfreude for the GOP and their embracing of populism biting them in the ass. >

You miss spelled white nationalism authoritarianism. >

they'rethesamepicture.png >

Populism isn’t inherently right-wing extremism. Bernie Sanders is a left-wing populist.