On Sunday, Secretary of State Jordan made clear his intentions to take control of the Speaker’s Gavel. After a weekend of hard lobbying and much needed pressure, he has gained the support of several key members of Congress and is quickly approaching his goal.
Jordan faced extensive opposition from Democrats earlier in the week, who argued that he was not qualified for the powerful role. Despite their doubts, the Secretary of State has managed to turn the tide on opinion and appears to be on the brink of victory. His position has been bolstered by calls from the business community to give Jordan the mandate he needs to lead the House.
The key to Jordan’s success has been his ability to earn the trust of Republicans, despite their initial reservations. Through direct appeals and statements of support, Jordan has been able to convince them that he is the right man for the job.
The jockeying for the Speaker’s Gavel is far from over, however. Jordan will need to win the support of the absconding Republicans and Democrats alike to have any chance of success. At present, the Secretary of State is certain of his victory, but only time will tell if the pressure campaign over the weekend will turn into a winning formula.