House Republicans blocked Rep. Jim Jordan's speakership bid in a second vote on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, leaving the party in disarray and without a clear path forward.
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| Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) is pursued by reporters prior to a second round of voting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., October 18, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) |
Jordan, a conservative firebrand from Ohio, fell short of the 217 votes needed to win the speakership, with 22 Republicans voting against him. All Democrats supported Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York.
The vote came after Jordan failed to secure the speakership in a first vote on Tuesday, when he received 20 votes in opposition.
It is unclear why so many Republicans voted against Jordan. Some have speculated that it is due to his role in the January 6 insurrection or his close ties to former President Donald Trump. Others have said that they believe Jordan is too extreme to be speaker.
Jordan has been a vocal supporter of Trump. He was also one of the few Republicans who refused to cooperate with the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack.
The failure of Jordan's speakership bid is a setback for Republicans, who are trying to unite behind a leader as they prepare for the 2024 elections. It is also a blow to Trump, who had endorsed Jordan for speaker.
It is unclear who will emerge as the next Republican speaker candidate. Some potential candidates include Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Whip Steve Scalise, and Rep. Elise Stefanik.
The Republican Party is now facing a difficult choice. They can either continue to try to unite behind a single candidate or they can risk going into the 2024 elections with a divided party.
Analysis
The failure of Jim Jordan's speakership bid is a significant development in American politics. Jordan is a close ally of former President Donald Trump and is seen as one of the most extreme members of the Republican Party. His defeat suggests that there is a significant divide within the Republican Party between those who are willing to embrace Trump's extremism and those who are looking to move on from the Trump era.
It is unclear what the long-term implications of Jordan's defeat will be. It is possible that the Republican Party will be able to unite behind a more moderate speaker candidate. However, it is also possible that the party will continue to be divided, which could make it difficult for them to win elections in the future.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Republican Party. However, the failure of Jim Jordan's speakership bid is a sign that the party is at a crossroads.
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