Will Jim Jordan overpower his way to the necessary 217 votes? Title: In the Ring: Jim Jordan’s Battle for 217 Votes

Will Jim Jordan Bully His Way to 217 Votes?

By Rachael Bade, Ryan Lizza, and Eugene Daniels | October 14, 2023

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is currently facing a critical question as he vies for the speakership: will he continue with his recent transformation into a “team player” or will he revert back to the tough tactics that have defined his political career? Jordan’s history of using hard-line and sometimes bullying tactics to get his way has earned him a reputation as a formidable and influential figure in the House of Representatives. However, as he makes his final push for the speakership, he must now grapple with the trust issues that many of his colleagues have with him.

A Divided Vote

Although Jordan secured the GOP nomination for speaker, the vote was far from the display of unity that he and his allies had predicted. In fact, an astonishing 81 Republicans rejected Jordan in favor of Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), who entered the race just hours before the vote. This division within the party highlights the lack of trust that many of Jordan’s colleagues have in him.

The Challenge Jordan Faces

The challenge that Jordan faces boils down to this: despite his recent attempts to align himself with party leadership and present himself as a changed man, many of his colleagues still do not trust him. There are concerns that he will engage in fiscal brinkmanship and potentially steer the government into shutdowns. Additionally, there is a significant group of Republicans who are unhappy with how he treated Rep. Steve Scalise, the House majority leader and Jordan’s main competitor for the speakership nomination.

A Scorched-Earth Whipping Effort

Jordan and his allies are determined to fight for the speakership and are employing a strategy to put pressure on their opponents. They plan to smoke out the holdouts in a public floor vote and put them in a political pressure cooker. The belief is that these opponents will cave under pressure from the GOP base. This strategy has already shown some success, as the number of opposition votes dropped from 81 to 55 in a recent secret-ballot revote. However, reaching the necessary 217 votes for the speakership will require a vigorous whipping effort that goes against Jordan’s recent pitch of unity.

The Need for Trust and Unity

While Jordan may have some advantages, such as having more time to woo his opponents before the expected vote, he will ultimately need to build trust and unity within the Republican Party. Many members are growing tired of the ongoing drama and are eager to choose a leader and move on. Jordan’s previous flip-flop on the requirement of garnering 217 votes before a floor fight undermines his position as a changed man who will represent all Republicans. If he chooses to bulldoze his opposition on the floor, it would further repudiate his recent claims of unity.

Advice for Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan must carefully navigate the path to the speakership if he hopes to succeed. He needs to address the trust issues that many of his colleagues have with him and prove that he can lead with integrity. It will be crucial for him to focus on building stronger relationships and finding common ground with his fellow Republicans. Jordan should resist the temptation to resort to hard-line tactics and bullying, as this will only further alienate him from his colleagues. Instead, he should embrace a more collaborative and inclusive approach, showing that he can lead with respect and unity. By doing so, he may be able to win over the trust and support of the Republican Party and secure the necessary 217 votes for the speakership.