Quin, if none of this is true, why in heaven is Jim Jordan and what he does at the Republican Study Committee at issue at all?

A Speaker of the House committed to principle should welcome the chance to engage… and not hesitate to speak up in Jordan’s defense on the spot. Instead what we have are a bucket load of stories like this one at The Blaze posted yesterday afternoon. That would be more than 24 hours ago — followed by 24 hours of silence.

Or take a look at this story in Politico, replete with quotes from GOP members — by name — assailing Jordan and his staff. 

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) is quoted as scolding Jordan because he wanted to hold to principle and refused her version of “compromise.” And so on. And so on.

I’m happy to take Boehner at his word — but I too worked in the House, and this kind of thing does not happen without approval from the leadership. Is there any denial that Boehner allies were chanting “Fire him! Fire him” of a Jordan staffer as reported?

For working with conservative groups like Heritage and the Club for Growth?

That’s utterly disgraceful if true. And so far I’ve seen no denial — feel free to steer me to a denial if it’s out there.

The Boehner statement, for readers, is this:

Jim Jordan and I may not always agree on strategy, but we are friends and allies, and the word retribution is not in my vocabulary. I look forward to continuing to serve with him in the U.S. House after the redistricting process in Ohio is complete, and for many years to come.

As I type there is no vote — it’s delayed, and we know what that means. The ever vigilant Jim Antle has the scoop here.

The votes aren’t there. Maybe they will be, but to lose 25 GOP votes is precisely the kind of problem that comes from this kind of amateurish stunt having a backlash effect.

Quin, this is just amateur hour stuff. So the Republican Study Committee disagrees? So its staff members are out there working for the very principles on which this House was elected? So what? That’s a good thing, not some sort of mutiny. For heaven sakes.

Boehner needs to make his case — concentrate on that. And obviously he is struggling or he wouldn’t be having this kind of problem.