(ConservativeJournal.org) – Jim Jordan’s supporters had sought to coerce House Republicans into endorsing his bid for the speaker position. However, these strategies have backfired, likely jeopardizing his pursuit of the speakership.
Key GOP members who opposed Jordan during the recent speaker vote revealed that they felt pressured by party leaders and influential national conservatives in their home states. Many of these skeptics perceived this approach as a coordinated effort characterized by veiled threats: support Jordan or face consequences.
Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska detailed how Jordan’s network of backers had played hardball while he received calls from local party officials. His wife even received anonymous emails and texts pressuring her husband to support Jim Jordan.
Similar accounts of substantial pressure emerged from other Republicans, who also pointed fingers at Jordan’s supporters, even if Jordan himself wasn’t directly implicated. Some of Jordan’s advocates conceded that these aggressive tactics had set back his quest, especially concerning a potential second speaker vote.
This manipulative initiative, often accompanied by implicit warnings of potential primary challenges, aimed to build momentum behind Jordan’s candidacy. It has cast a shadow over his bid and thrown House Republicans into a deeper state of disarray, with no apparent exit strategy.
Aware that his bid was hanging in the balance, Jordan decided to postpone his plan for a second vote. Republicans privately cautioned that his opponents could gain more support, prompting this move. Instead, Jordan intends to confer with his allies, make strategic calls, and work to reinvigorate his campaign before a second vote, potentially taking place as early as Wednesday.
One anonymous House Republican said that Jordan is trying to do damage control regarding some of his voters by calling them. According to him, these calls are only making matters worse as Jordan has not spoken out against the coercion attempts in the first place.
Jordan expressed determination, stating they would persevere and secure the necessary votes, emphasizing that they were engaged in productive discussions.
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