meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Why Jim Jordan Is Still “the Man for the Moment”

The Political Scene | The New Yorker

The New Yorker

Lizza, Wnyc, Wickenden, News, President, Washington, Obama, Barack, Politics

4.33.9K Ratings

🗓️ 25 October 2023

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim Jordan may have failed to become the Republican Speaker of the House, but he still remains the Party’s most influential insurgent. The former wrestling champion and current Ohio congressman first took office in 2007. Since then, he has not sponsored a single bill that has become law. Instead, he has made it his mission to expose what he calls “big-tech censorship” against conservatives, and to undermine the institutions that are investigating Donald Trump. Jonathan Blitzer, who wrote a piece on Jordan’s conspiratorial quest for power for this week’s New Yorker, joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss why this man is still key to understanding the contemporary Republican Party. 

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Discover Earth's ultimate untamed places with wilderness. With access to 6 million acres of private land

0:07.7

in eight African countries, wilderness offers intimate wildlife encounters and experiences that will

0:13.0

leave you changed forever. The accommodations are luxurious and stay true to the vibrant soul

0:19.8

and spirit of each destination and the trips are

0:23.0

meticulously planned from arrival to departure, making them perfect for a group, family or

0:28.5

solo travellers. Wilderness is among the leaders of conservation hospitality, with more than 60

0:34.5

of the most highly awarded lodges in camps in Africa.

0:43.0

Wilderness is especially excited this year to focus on wellness, providing experiences that immerse you in beautiful places to restore your sense of self through nature.

0:48.1

To learn more and book your own wilderness adventure, go to wilderness destinations.com

0:52.9

slash women who travel.

0:55.7

eBay, it's a place to fall in love with new pre-loved vintage and rare fashion over and over

1:01.6

again. Your favorite designers, expertly authenticated. Yeah, eBay. Things people love.

1:10.7

So right now it's Tuesday morning and there are currently nine Republicans running Bay. Things people love.

1:18.7

So right now it's Tuesday morning, and there are currently nine Republicans running for House Speaker after Jim Jordan's campaign was ended with a secret ballot.

1:25.0

By the time this podcast comes out on Wednesday, things could look completely different. But why has this whole thing been such a saga?

1:36.1

I mean, the party's been divided from the start, and the real problem is they have such a slim majority in Congress that essentially any one person or any few people can really derail the whole thing.

1:39.2

It's kind of the dream, right?

1:42.2

The dream of the individual road lawmaker for sure.

1:46.2

That's my colleague Jonathan Blitzer.

1:50.2

He's just written a piece for this week's New Yorker about Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio and his brand of far-right politics.

1:54.5

Jordan may have lost his bid for speaker, but he remains the Republican Party's most

1:58.5

influential insurgent.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The New Yorker, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The New Yorker and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.