Dusty Johnson says he's a problem-solver then becomes a problem-creator, supporting Jim Jordan for House Speaker
In one of the weirder moments of disconnect between political rhetoric and behavior I’ve seen in a while, our U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson publicly supported fellow Republican Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to run for Speaker of the House of Representatives.
So how is that a disconnect?
Well, the lack of a speaker since Kevin McCarthy was ousted from that position a couple of weeks ago has left the House in chaos and immobility, so the search for a new speaker has gotten more desperate and necessary by day.
Indeed, Jordan’s nomination to the post couldn’t make it past a second vote, which took place yesterday, leaving the situation in limbo. News of what’s transpiring changes by the minute, so as I write this, there’s no definite plan for going forward.
Rep. Johnson has been as frustrated as everyone else in Congress and ultimately joined with others in his party to support Jordan’s nomination, telling Associated Press that “as emotion begins to leave some members, I think it’s going to be easier for some of them to get to yes” to the Jordan nomination.
As it turns out, it wasn’t easy to say “yes” for the 22 Republicans who voted against Jordan on Thursday, leaving the Ohioan far short of the House majority that he’ll need to ascend to the speakership. CNN reports that most of those 22 nays are firm in their position and that many of them are not even “answering Jordan’s calls.”
We do indeed have a mess royale. Dusty Johnson seems thoroughly discombobulated by it, and this is where Johnson’s disconnect between words and actions emerged.
For a long time Johnson has been playing the moderate voice within the GOP, even joining a self-styled “Problem Solvers” caucus, saying in his blurb on the caucus’s website: “Washington functions better when both sides work together on policies that will benefit the American people. I’m proud to be a part of a team focused on bridging divides rather than encouraging them.”
This is a wonderfully refreshing sentiment, and you have to be impressed by Johnson’s statesman-like rhetoric.
Indeed, for a while there I got the impression that Johnson was looking to rise above the usual political theatrics and dedicate himself to accomplishing something constructive with the help of a bi-partisan (the caucus is equally divided between Republicans and Democrats) base.
That fantasy flew out the window with Johnson’s high-profile support of Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House. Of all the possible nominees, I can’t think of a more polarizing figure than Jim Jordan, who is the antithesis of an atmosphere where “both sides work together on policies that will benefit the American people.”
Jordan is an unequivocal ally of Donald Trump who helped found the hardline House Freedom Caucus, which isn’t merely right-wing. It’s far-right and used obstructionist tactics to stop the government from functioning during the recent flare-up over a budget extension.
Jordan’s association with that group is diametrically opposed to Dusty Johnson’s goal of creating a congressional body where both sides can work together.
Johnson yearns to be a “problem solver” yet supports one of the most polarizing figures in Congress for perhaps the most important legislative leadership role in the country.
This I don’t get. The only explanation is that Johnson is trying to play to the moderate side of the GOP while reminding the extremist, Freedom Caucus types, that he can be palsy-walsy with them.
So which is it Dusty? Are you a problem-solver or a problem-creator?
John Tsitrian is a businessman and writer from the Black Hills. He was a weekly columnist for the Rapid City Journal for 20 years. His articles and commentary have also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post and The Omaha World-Herald. Tsitrian served in the Marines for three years (1966-69), including a 13-month tour of duty as a radioman in Vietnam.
