Staff Reports
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is facing an uphill battle in his bid to become Speaker of the House. After failing to secure the necessary votes on the first ballot, Jordan spent hours trying to convince holdouts to support him. However, he ultimately decided to delay the second vote until Wednesday, suggesting that he is struggling to gain additional support.
House GOP calls it a night as Jim Jordan faces staunch opposition for speaker https://t.co/d6mCX3Y8lU
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) October 18, 2023
This setback for Jordan has not gone unnoticed by his fellow Republicans. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) expressed his concern that the “D.C. cartel” is trying to undermine Jordan’s campaign by pressuring members to vote against him. This kind of backroom dealing is exactly the type of behavior that voters despise and it is unfortunate to see it happening within the Republican Party.
It is clear that Jordan’s opponents are using any means necessary to block his path to the speakership. Some of these holdouts have raised policy objections, such as concerns about tax deductions and government spending. While it is important for lawmakers to have meaningful debates about these issues, it is disappointing to see them being used as a weapon against Jordan.
Even Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), who was originally nominated for speaker but withdrew after Jordan supporters refused to back him, is not immune to the underhanded tactics of Jordan’s opponents. Despite publicly stating that he would support whomever the conference nominates, there are now doubts about whether Scalise will stand by his word and continue to support Jordan. This kind of flip-flopping is a prime example of the hypocrisy that exists within the party.
Jordan is not giving up without a fight, though. He has been working tirelessly to secure the necessary votes and believes that he can still win the speakership. However, there are doubts about whether he can convince enough members to change their minds. Some who initially voted for him on the first ballot are now wavering in their support. It remains to be seen whether Jordan can rally enough members behind him to become speaker.
In the meantime, there are talks underway between centrist Republicans and Democrats about potentially working together to advance a candidate that both parties can support. While it is important to find common ground and govern in a bipartisan manner, it is concerning to see Republicans considering aligning themselves with Democrats. This kind of cooperation often leads to watered-down policies and compromises that do not reflect conservative values.
Overall, the race for Speaker of the House has become a messy and contentious battle. It is clear that there are forces within the party who are determined to prevent Jordan from winning the speakership, even if it means resorting to underhanded tactics. Jordan will need to rally support and stay focused on his goal if he wants to overcome these obstacles and become the next Speaker of the House.
