Explosive Turn of Events: The Surprising Fallout from Jim Jordan's Pressure Campaign

Congressman Jim Jordan's attempt to secure the position of House Speaker was unsuccessful.

In recent days, Jordan made persistent efforts to persuade fellow Republicans to support him. He vigorously campaigned over the weekend to rally support and weaken backing for Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise.

On Tuesday, he requested a roll call vote. Realizing that he wouldn't secure victory initially, Jordan aimed to intimidate his opponents into voting in favor. By showcasing the roll call to voters, he anticipated an increase in pressure within the districts.

But the momentum took a turn for the worse. During Wednesday's vote, fewer Republicans were willing to back him, and some openly expressed their frustration with his tactics. Steve Womack, an Arkansas Republican, strongly criticized Jordan's relentless "attack, attack, attack" approach, stating that it had absolutely no positive impact. Womack firmly asserted, "That strategy won't be effective with us."

House Select Subcommittee on Federal Government Weaponization Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) presides over a hearing on Capitol Hill on July 20, 2023.

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The inquiry pertains to the source of the problem. Undoubtedly, the implementation of intimidation, bullying, and political coercion has proven effective. This is evident when observing the Republican figure who currently holds a substantial lead in the race to secure the party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election: former President Donald Trump.

Trump has based his entire career on intimidation and will go to great lengths to destroy his opponents. He rallies his supporters to ensure that anyone who stands in his way does not survive.

A victory for Jordan in the era of Trump would seem logical, as he aligns himself closely with MAGA values. In fact, he was a supporter of MAGA and the Tea Party long before Trump came onto the scene. Jordan strongly opposes reproductive rights, advocates for radical deregulation, denies climate change, engages in culture wars, and believes government shutdowns are a normal part of doing business.

Once Trump assumed the presidency, Jordan wholeheartedly embraced his role as a staunch defender, serving as the partisan in chief, unwavering in his determination to safeguard his party's interests. In the realm of 2020 election denialism, no one surpassed Jordan in his expertise for disseminating conspiracy theories, effortlessly pontificating on par with middle-aged men discussing the most recent NFL scores.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, arrives for the Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

Alex Brandon/AP

House GOP is scrambling to figure out their next steps after voting to remove Jordan as the nominee for speaker. However, it is important to note that Trump's aggressive tactics are not foolproof. One of the major challenges for Jordan is that he does not instill the same level of fear. Despite being a regular presence on Fox News, he has yet to prove his ability to rally votes or build broad alliances. Jordan's primary focus seems to lie more in media appearances, where he often makes controversial statements and regurgitates partisan viewpoints. The art of legislating, which involves gathering support from fellow members and securing their backing, does not appear to be a priority for him.

On October 4, 2023, US Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) addressed the press at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. A chaotic session took place on October 3, 2023, with lawmakers yelling and quarreling, leading to a startling silence. For the first time in US history, the House of Representatives ousted its own speaker. Kevin McCarthy became a victim of a rebellion from a small far-right faction within his own Republican Party, which has made his tenure as speaker incredibly challenging. In response, Jordan announced his candidacy to replace McCarthy as the House Speaker. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

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The possibility of losing their House majority in 2024 frightens Republicans, considering his reputation as a "legislative terrorist" according to former Speaker John Boehner. While the Party of Newt Gingrich and the Tea Party has shown a willingness to use extreme tactics, making Jordan the top candidate could prove detrimental, with Democrats eager to link the GOP to him as the figurehead.

The swing districts in New York are likely to shift back to the Democratic party. The party needs a candidate who appears more reasonable, like temporary Speaker Patrick McHenry, in order to have a serious chance at retaining power. Jordan's high cost is not compatible with a party that prioritizes partisan power above all else. Additionally, the ongoing wrestling scandal surrounding him is significant due to six former wrestlers publicly accusing him of dismissing their complaints about sexual molestation by a doctor while he was a coach at Ohio State University. Jordan has strongly denied these allegations.

Although Jordan is regarded as a valuable asset for the Republican party by many, he has yet to win over the entire caucus as the ideal leader. In spite of the intense divisions within parties, personal relationships continue to hold significance. Unfortunately, Jordan does not enjoy widespread popularity within the GOP. While Democrats view him as a grave threat to democracy, many Republicans do not perceive him as someone reliable or dependable. Therefore, at this critical juncture for the party, Jordan lacks the necessary leverage to rally support.

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Even Republicans who are fully comfortable with the radicalization of their party recognize that making Jordan the party leader would be a turning point for the GOP. It would be impossible to avoid the perception that the party is entirely aligned with Trump, and that Trump is merely a product of a broader party ideology. The possibility of any alternative path would be completely eliminated.

By excluding Jordan from the speakership, it at least gives the impression that change is feasible - an important selling point for independent voters. Electing Jordan as the speaker would publicly acknowledge what some in the GOP still want to keep hidden. For now, there are still a few Republicans who prefer to maintain the illusion.