'Significant concerns': GOP analyst explains why Jordan’s plan to 'bully' Republican colleagues might fail

Hours after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise ended his bid for speaker Thursday, October 12, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) announced he would pursue the GOP nomination for a second time.

During Sunday's episode of CNN This Morning Weekend, CNN analyst and former special assistant to ex-President George W. Bush Scott Jennings spoke with hosts Victor Blackwell and Amara Walker about the potential fate of Jordan's bid.

Blackwell said, "Congressman Jim Jordan is the GOP's nominee for the job, but there is a big problem. He is still far short of the 217 votes needed to get the gavel. He only got 152 votes in THE secret ballot after Steve Scalise abandoned his bid. He has been spending the weekend trying to win over holdouts. Joining us, Scott Jennings. He can only afford to lose four. Five in all the Democrats is a loss. Are there five absolute no's on Jim Jordan? Can he get there?"

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Jennings replied, "I mean, great question. I mean, one thing about being the GOP nominee for this office is it doesn't really mean anything. Steve Scalise was the GOP nominee and he had to drop out. Kevin McCarthy, of course, was the selection of the conference. He's no longer the Speaker of the House. So that means nothing. And there are significant concerns with Jordan among people who are on the armed services committee, defense hawks, and a few more moderate members of the party. I think the Jordan plan is to try to use the conservative grassroots to bully these people when they actually have to go on floor and cast their ballot publicly. What happened in conference was a secret ballot. But, I don't know. I talked to a member this weekend who told me it was possible, but not likely. So that was one man's handicapping."

Walker then asked, "So, Scott, what do you think about the strategy then or this reported plan for him to try to bully people into voting for him? Will it work?"

Scott said, "Well, the conservatives that i that the moderates who often talk a good game and always fold, will fold when they get to the floor and have to face down public vote. but i don't know if they can bank on that this time because the numbers are so small as was pointed out. You only need five people to tank this thing. obviously, there is any goodwill from the democrats for Jim Jordan. He has been a big thorn in their side for years. I don't know if that will work. I mean, there's a part of the party views being on television and views being sort of a talking head as the most important part of the job. That's what the grassroots sees. But there's also a part of the party in the House, the rank and file members who know the job of speaker is political mechanics, running the conference and actual governing. That's not what Jim Jordan is known for. He is certainly beloved by conservative grassroots, but that's really different than running the House of Representatives."

Watch the video below or at this link.

'Significant concerns' with Jordan's speaker run: GOP analystyoutu.be

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