Deadline Poet / October 31, 2023

Bullet Dodged

Calvin Trillin
Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) arrives at his office in the Rayburn House Office Building on October 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) arrives at his office in the Rayburn House Office Building on October 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C.(Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

Jim Jordan’s campaign to be speaker
Quite quickly in caucus fell flat.
Republicans might have gone crazy,
But still not as crazy as that.

Thank you for reading The Nation

We hope you enjoyed the story you just read, just one of the many incisive, deeply-reported articles we publish daily. Now more than ever, we need fearless journalism that shifts the needle on important issues, uncovers malfeasance and corruption, and uplifts voices and perspectives that often go unheard in mainstream media.

Throughout this critical election year and a time of media austerity and renewed campus activism and rising labor organizing, independent journalism that gets to the heart of the matter is more critical than ever before. Donate right now and help us hold the powerful accountable, shine a light on issues that would otherwise be swept under the rug, and build a more just and equitable future.

For nearly 160 years, The Nation has stood for truth, justice, and moral clarity. As a reader-supported publication, we are not beholden to the whims of advertisers or a corporate owner. But it does take financial resources to report on stories that may take weeks or months to properly investigate, thoroughly edit and fact-check articles, and get our stories into the hands of readers.

Donate today and stand with us for a better future. Thank you for being a supporter of independent journalism.

Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

More from The Nation

A supporter holds a sign as members of the San Francisco Democratic Party rally in support of Kamala Harris on July 22 at City Hall in San Francisco, California.

Working Families Party Nominates Kamala Harris Ahead of the DNC Working Families Party Nominates Kamala Harris Ahead of the DNC

The nomination gives the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee a second ballot line in New York and a big organizational boost from WFP and its allies.

John Nichols

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to supporters during a campaign rally at West Allis Central High School on July 23 in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Kamala Harris Is Ready for This Fight Kamala Harris Is Ready for This Fight

In a matter of days, Vice President Kamala Harris cleared the path for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Editorial / John Nichols for The Nation

Who let the cats out? Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance.

J.D. Vance’s Hatred of Cat Ladies Is Weirder and More Dangerous Than You Think J.D. Vance’s Hatred of Cat Ladies Is Weirder and More Dangerous Than You Think

Patriarchy, plutocracy, and ethnonationalism fuel the vice-presidential candidate’s bizarre slur.

Jeet Heer

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chambers in the U.S. Capitol on May 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

What I Learned Covering Attorney General Kamala Harris What I Learned Covering Attorney General Kamala Harris

Since her time as California attorney general, Vice President Kamala Harris has proven to be a tough-as-nails negotiator.

Sasha Abramsky

President Joe Biden at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.

Joe Biden Bids Farewell Joe Biden Bids Farewell

Wednesday night’s address was moving, and also confirmed that he’d made the right decision.

Joan Walsh

Supreme Court Pros

Supreme Court Pros Supreme Court Pros

And cons.

OppArt / Jen Sorensen