Jim Jordan allies 'threatening retribution' against GOPer’s refusing to elect him speaker
Rep. Jim Jordan's bid to be the next House speaker after the ouster Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is running into a considerable amount of resistance from his GOP caucus, so allies of the Ohio Republican are reportedly twisting arms and making threats to ensure his selection.
According to a report from the New York Times, Republican House members who are balking at falling in line are being threatened with retribution and are already on the receiving end of harassment being fostered by supporters of Jordan.
With one ally admitting the Jordan camp was stunned that he didn't get close to the 217 votes needed to become speaker, the Times is reporting that fans of blustery Ohio Republican are using the weekend to sic their own followers on balking House members.
Calling it an "extraordinary instance of Republican-on-Republican fighting," the Times' Karoun Demirjian is reporting, "Several of Mr. Jordan’s supporters have posted the phone numbers of mainstream G.O.P. lawmakers they count as holdouts, encouraging followers to flood the Capitol switchboard with calls demanding they back Mr. Jordan — or face the wrath of conservative voters as they gear up for primary season."
Noting that extreme right-wing activists have focused on about a dozen House Republicans who want no part of Jordan as the face of the Republican-majority House, the Times is reporting, "Mr. Jordan’s supporters said his decision to send lawmakers home to their districts over the weekend rather than keeping them in Washington for one-on-one meetings to drum up support was a deliberate move to intensify grass-roots pressure on them to fall into line."
According to Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), a Jordan supporter, "Everybody’s going to go home, listen to their constituents, and make a decision. Honestly, the grassroots, there’s nobody stronger.”
Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) is balking because he doesn't want to reward the "bad behavior" that led Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to lead the revolt against McCarthy.
Taking aim at Gaetz, he told the Times, "I’m a no on allowing Matt Gaetz and the other seven to win by putting their individual in as speaker."
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