I think they were playing the Vegas odds on this one. I think they looked back and saw it took 15 votes to get McCarthy in, who was the only person who could even sniff getting both the traditionals and the MAGA wing to vote for him. The only other person who I think can even come close to that is Scalise, but to your point, if they end up with someone like Jordan, without any drama, then yes, I think they will regret it, as unlikely as that scenario could be (crossing my own fingers). Sadly, off the top of my head, I can't think of one Republican who'd actually vy for the spot that would be better than McCarthy, and McCarthy was beyond horrific.
I'm guessing they placed their bet on the likelihood that the R side will look like a circus, and it will devolve into a Govt shutdown on 11/17, and that they'll piss off just a ton of the moderate voters, which I think is probably the odds favorite, but not the guarantee, to your point.
Side note - 11/17 is the Friday before Thanksgiving. I may end up getting mandatory time off the week of Thanksgiving, without having to take leave. Thanks Matt Gaetz!
