1836
07-28-2011, 06:44 PM
From National Journal's Hotline On Call (http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/07/boehner-plays-h.php):
House Speaker John Boehner knows how to play hardball.
One day after conservative House Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was reamed out by party leadership for working to undermine Boehner's deficit reduction bill, the Speaker's allies back home are fighting back by trying to draw him out of his seat.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that two Ohio Republicans close to the redistricting process are now seriously considering altering his district so he'd have to run in a much less-friendly seat. Boehner has had input in how the new Ohio map is being drawn, according to several Republicans familiar with the process.
With Ohio losing two House seats in reapportionment, it's likely that one Republican will be out of a seat in the game of musical chairs. But Jordan was never viewed as a leading target, with freshman Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, and Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, looking more vulnerable.
Drawing Jordan out of a district would help shore up one of the more vulnerable freshman Republicans, Rep. Steve Stivers. Stivers, whose district neighbors Jordan's, is a favorite of the Speaker and someone who campaign officials have been focused on protecting in redistricting.
News of a GOP power play against Jordan won't be looked upon favorably by outside conservative groups - he's one of the leading advocates against increased spending in the House. The Club for Growth helped get him elected in a competitive 2006 primary.
Boehner now denying that he has threatened to wipe Jordan's district off the map.
The establishment is panicking.
House Speaker John Boehner knows how to play hardball.
One day after conservative House Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was reamed out by party leadership for working to undermine Boehner's deficit reduction bill, the Speaker's allies back home are fighting back by trying to draw him out of his seat.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that two Ohio Republicans close to the redistricting process are now seriously considering altering his district so he'd have to run in a much less-friendly seat. Boehner has had input in how the new Ohio map is being drawn, according to several Republicans familiar with the process.
With Ohio losing two House seats in reapportionment, it's likely that one Republican will be out of a seat in the game of musical chairs. But Jordan was never viewed as a leading target, with freshman Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, and Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, looking more vulnerable.
Drawing Jordan out of a district would help shore up one of the more vulnerable freshman Republicans, Rep. Steve Stivers. Stivers, whose district neighbors Jordan's, is a favorite of the Speaker and someone who campaign officials have been focused on protecting in redistricting.
News of a GOP power play against Jordan won't be looked upon favorably by outside conservative groups - he's one of the leading advocates against increased spending in the House. The Club for Growth helped get him elected in a competitive 2006 primary.
Boehner now denying that he has threatened to wipe Jordan's district off the map.
The establishment is panicking.