There is an element in the Republican Party that is completely at peace with losing elections. All of them: Races for the White House. Congress. The speakership. You name it.
I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry. On the plus side, Jordan’s tactics failed. But this never should have happened.
Even when party leaders win, they find a way to lose. While Democrats control the White House and Senate, Republicans at least could claim the House of Representatives. But then a gang of eight House Republicans — led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. — made it their mission to go after pragmatic Republicans who had won the support of most of their colleagues. They had gamed the rules so that they could oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and they apparently had nothing better to do. (READ MORE from Debra Saunders: Matt Gaetz Is the RINO)
Who would be McCarthy’s replacement? Well, they had no plan.
Two weeks later, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, seemed like McCarthy’s likely replacement. Except that when the House voted, his support grew smaller over three floor votes, not bigger. When Republicans voted behind closed doors, his fate was sealed.
It was a fitting outcome for a Republican leader who had voted against certifying the 2020 election results for Arizona and Pennsylvania.
As Michael Fanone — a former D.C. Metropolitan police officer who was injured during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and now is with the anti-MAGA group Courage for America — cautioned when Jordan had a shot at the speakership, Jordan “is an insurrectionist who has no place being second in line to the presidency.”
As the week ends, the next likely GOP leader is unknown. House Republicans are expected to meet Monday to choose a leader — with an expected floor vote on Tuesday.
I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry. On the plus side, Jordan’s tactics failed. But this never should have happened. Over three floor votes, Jordan pushed ahead even though a growing (if small) number of Republicans said they would oppose him. It was clear Jordan did not have the votes; nonetheless, Jordan apparently believed he could bully his way to a win.
And I do mean bully.
On CNN, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., revealed that a Jordan supporter sent an anonymous text to Bacon’s wife. “Why is your husband causing chaos by not supporting Jim Jordan? I thought he was a team player,” it began. The texter also warned, “Your husband will not hold any political office ever again.” (READ MORE: Not a Surprise: The House Is Still Gridlocked Over the Speaker)
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., had enough. “We all share the same conservative values and principles,” she told the Virginia Mercury. “So to get those threats and to be intimidated by members of our own party was really frustrating, especially for people like me.”
Debra J. Saunders is a fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Chapman Center for Citizen Leadership. Contact her at dsaunders@discovery.org.
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