Why did Jim Jordan’s run for the House Speakership fail? By all measures he had the “right stuff” to win within a MAGA-enthralled GOP majority. As we argued here, Jordan was crazed enough and arguably indictable enough to meet GOP standards, and unlike other craven pro-Trump congressloons like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Chip Roy, he was chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee. MSNBC observed:
“By some measures, Jordan has earned the label of Congress’ Worst Member. Sure, there are other radicals from the GOP’s insurrectionist wing who appear overtly hostile toward democracy. And yes, there are other conspiracy theorists. There are also others on Capitol Hill who’ve failed to pass legislation, who’ve overseen failed investigations, who care more about Fox News appearances than governing, and who don’t appear the slightest bit interested in the substance of policymaking. But the chairman of the Judiciary Committee stands out because he checks each of the boxes. Jordan was, and is, uniquely unfit to serve as a constitutional officer.”
Nonetheless, Jordan may have won a prize that many MAGA stars seek: the Vice President’s spot on the Trump presidential ticket (should he prevail as the GOP nominee, of course). In fact, when weighing his chances, did Jordan consider this as a prize more desirable in the long run than Speaker of the House? Thus, he may think that losing the Speaker’s contest as a strange win-win, although, admittedly, he’s doesn’t seem to be a thinky kind of guy.
Yet, let’s imagine this scenario from Trump’s point of view. Jordan, as possibly the “Worst Member,” as MSNBC crowned him, satisfies – and complements – many of Trump’s attributes: a proud insurrectionist; a vicious fighter; utterly without a moral compass; an unrepentant “stop the stealer”; utterly dull between the ears; always shameless; a knee jerk liar; a candidate for indictment for his January 6th actions; and a reliable showboat. He’s also brought obedience to an art form when it comes to Trump’s defense (for example, during the Speaker’s battle he would not admit, still, that Joe Biden won the 2020 election). In short, Trump might think he’s in safe hands with a Jordan Vice Presidency, it’s unlikely he’d get off the leash, or want to, unlike a Marjorie Taylor Greene, or others Trump has created in his Frankenstein laboratory.
Political consequences of a Jordan VP candidacy in a general election abound, of course. He’d certainly help Trump with the MAGA-undecided vote, by lighting a fire under those who, for instance, don’t consider Trump himself to be radical enough, like card carrying nazis. However, Jordan could energize those many anti-Trump voters who need more evidence that 2024 is not just another election. Also, having two nincompoops on the GOP ballot would often lead to slip ups on the campaign trail, like Jordan answering town hall questions with, “I’m unable to answer where Saint Louis is without a labeled map of France.” Alternatively, Trump is no “stable genius” and would believe that Jordan’s negatives would not affect him with voters, all of whom he believes focus only on himself.
As for Jordan, his ascendancy in the House ended last week in the smoldering wreck of the Speaker’s race. On the third Speaker’s vote last Friday, a secret ballot among the GOP conference, he received 212 nay votes – more than half the conference. Careers that seek leadership positions end on such votes; Jordan ought to realize how many in his party detest him. So, for Jordan his future may only flourish as water boy for Trump. Jordan’s so toxic he deserves the VP’s nod.
In that case, well played, Jordan, well played. Now go have a race with Hawley.