Jim Jordan for Speaker: A Longshot or the Best Shot?
As voters look to the November election, many seem discontented with the Republican Congress due to its failure to repeal Obamacare and to support commonsense border enforcement. In fact, according to a recent study, 53% of Americans are dissatisfied with the GOP leadership. Though grateful for the tax cuts and the economic recovery, many voters seek a change.
As voters look to the November election, many seem discontented with the Republican Congress due to its failure to repeal Obamacare and to support commonsense border enforcement. In fact, according to a recent study, 53% of Americans are dissatisfied with the GOP leadership. Though grateful for the tax cuts and the economic recovery, many voters seek a change.
Some pundits predict that discontented Republicans coupled with #resist voters will cause a “blue wave” in support of Democrats. Yet the Democrat Party’s support of socialism and divisive tactics of obstructionism prevent our country from moving forward in a positive direction.
The change voters seek does not exist in moving our country backward but rather in moving it forward. In Congress lie both the problem and the solution. Further, the problem and solution lie not just in Congress but in congressional leadership.
Paul Ryan announced several months ago that he would not be running for reelection. This presents an opening for new, needed leadership in the House of Representatives. Recently, Jim Jordan (R-OH), a true conservative and founding member of the Freedom Caucus, announced his run for speaker of the House. Some say he doesn’t have a chance because he’s not the “natural successor” for the position. These people argue that the House must continue to run according to the “way things have always been done.” Yet hasn’t abiding by the status quo created the stagnant leadership that drives voter apathy?
If the House wants to prove to voters that it supports conservative policies and the Trump agenda, it needs courageous leadership willing to fight for conservative values. Jim Jordan has proved that he can and will do so. Jordan, according to The Washington Post, has stated, “President Trump has taken bold action on behalf of the American people…Congress has not held up its end of the deal, but we can change that. It’s time to do what we said.” If elected speaker, Jordan has pledged to fully repeal ObamaCare, build a wall along the southern border, make the Trump tax cuts permanent, and cut federal spending to reduce the debt.
This sounds like the change the American people want and need. However, some feel threatened by a man who would do what he promised. Cue the false allegations. At a curiously opportune time, some have raised the question that while assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State, Jim Jordan knew about the team doctor’s sexual misconduct and did nothing. While the allegations do not directly involve Jordan, we live in a sound-bite world where people don’t read (or listen) to everything. So, a narrative involving sexual allegations will ultimately read “Jordan Answers Questions on Sexual Allegations.” The title of the story misleads the public into thinking that Jordan must answer questions about his conduct, not the conduct of another person. For those seeking to discredit Jim Jordan’s integrity, a misleading story achieves their goal.
However, consider the source. Perkins Coie, the law firm conducting the “investigation” at Ohio State, happens to be the same firm that represented Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Perkins Coie also hired Fusion GPS, the company that produced the dubious “Trump dossier” claiming collusion with Russia. Can it be trusted as a non-biased source?
Voters must fight back by making their support of Jim Jordan known. Voters cannot assume that, left to itself, Congress will support a conservative change in leadership like Jim Jordan. Citizens need to call their representative and voice their concerns.
With our busy lives and obligations, it can seem inconvenient or even intimidating to make a phone call to our elected officials. However, the genius of the American system lies in our form of representative government. We elect representatives to represent our interests. Then we hold them accountable. When we fail to do so, it means that we have relinquished a part of what makes our country great. We have relinquished our obligation to steward the blessings of freedom. As General Douglas MacArthur noted, “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” Being vigilant to the preservation of freedom means allowing our representatives to represent us — by telling them how to do so.
Voting for conservatives in November stands as the best chance to preserve liberty in Congress. Encouraging our congressmen to vote for Jim Jordan as House speaker stands as the best chance to restore conservative leadership in the House.
Some say Jim Jordan for speaker of the House is a long shot. However, if the grassroots support him, he’s the best shot.
