"The Rise of Political Loyalty and Clownish Tactics in American Politics"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by POLITICO
House Republican centrists, often referred to as "Squishes," have rebelled against Rep. Jim Jordan's bid for the speaker position, with 20 Republicans opposing his nomination. Powerful House veterans and junior frontliners alike joined forces to oppose Jordan, who is known for his conservative hard-line stance. Jordan's allies expected a conservative media pressure campaign to subdue the resistance, but it backfired, hardening the opposition. Jordan's candidacy now faces significant challenges as he needs to show progress in the second ballot to remain viable. Some senior Republicans predict that if Jordan continues to struggle, there may be a mass jailbreak as members grow impatient and want to move on.