PLAYING THE LONG GAME It’s well known that Steve Scalise wants to lead the House GOP someday. What’s less obvious is whether he has a clear path to the position next term — but his colleagues believe he’s preparing in case one appears. How it all shakes out depends on the election: If Republicans keep their majority, Speaker Mike Johnson is likely to remain atop the GOP hierarchy. If they don’t, however, Johnson is widely expected to step aside, giving Scalise an opportunity to move into the top job of minority leader. Scalise didn’t reject the idea when we asked him about that scenario recently, stating only that he is focused on helping Republicans win the majority. But those very efforts to win the majority also double as relationship-builders that could come in handy in a contested leadership race. He’s maxing out donations, working the phones and campaigning across the country hitting more than 20 states and 30 events in what he jokingly refers to as the “swing-district express.” Notably, he’s working to win over some factions that haven’t necessarily been friendly with him in the past — including close allies of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) — aiming to clear up what he describes as “misperceptions.” "Some I reached out to, and some we had really good, candid conversations, just kind of getting to understand each other better,” Scalise said as his car zipped from a private airfield to a rally for vulnerable Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.). The biggest obstacle: Jordan has himself sidestepped questions about whether he’d seek the minority leader spot amid rampant speculation that he’d look to leapfrog Scalise. Among those fielding similar phone calls and offers of campaign help from Jordan are some swing-district members who are outside of Jordan’s usual hard-right comfort zone and GOP candidates who have yet to be elected, according to a person knowledgeable about his activities. Jordan’s calls have been conspicuous, given that his role as Judiciary Committee chair doesn’t usually involve lots of member outreach. Scalise should “be doing that in a very difficult election,” one Republican member familiar with the matter said. “In the case of Jordan, it is more unusual.” Their pitches have diverged, one member told us: “Jim has focused a lot on, ‘Hey, what can I do to help drive base turnout? … Who can I call?” Scalise, on the other hand, has a “holistic” approach more focused on campaign cash, the member said: “What do we need to do to have you win this election? How do we give money to you?” Friends in new places: While we have previously reported on Jordan’s entreaties across the GOP Conference, Scalise has also shored up his relationships among once skeptical colleagues. They include Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), a close McCarthy ally who declined to back Scalise during last fall’s speakership race. Miller said at the time that he had no personal issue with the Louisianan but didn’t want to see anyone in leadership getting a promotion following McCarthy’s ejection. “Steve has been there when we've asked him for help,” Miller said, including the GOP-led fight against a redistricting initiative in Ohio. “He's come in for a fundraiser, he offered to come in for another fundraiser, and I believe he's given over half a million dollars to the effort. And when we talk about a team, that's the team I want to be on.” Miller is not alone. “Steve’s been instrumental to the successes we’ve had at the Ways and Means Committee and I can say without hesitation that he has been a friend and ally,” said Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), another McCarthy ally. Money talks: The cash dash is also being closely watched inside the House GOP: Jordan has recently stepped up his giving, sending nearly $2.5 million to the NRCC this year, bringing his career total to under $5 million. But Scalise, with his almost-decade in leadership, has far outstripped that, having transferred roughly $70 million total. And some Republicans are wondering why Jordan, who is not facing a competitive re-election, is sitting on a nearly $9 million campaign war chest rather than doling out more to endangered colleagues. GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, Oct. 24 where another former House Republican is switching sides to back Kamala Harris.
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