Opinion | The Gaetz of Republican Hell

The eight House Republicans who ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy two weeks ago are getting exactly what they bargained for, whether they knew it then or not. The instigator, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, thinks a better Speaker would be Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan. But on Friday Mr. Jordan lost another floor vote, making it three this week, first with 20 defections, then 22, and finally 25.

Some of the Jordan dissenters are still angry about the shabby treatment of Mr. McCarthy and the conference’s No. 2 choice, Rep. Steve Scalise. Others seem to believe Mr. Jordan is too much of a firebrand to serve as the party’s frontman. The no votes Friday included half of the Republicans in districts carried by President Biden in 2020. Mr. Jordan lost ground despite some notable attempts at sausage-making.