What traits make a good man?
Some say it’s honesty. Some say it’s strength. Some say it’s a willingness to provide for your family and keep them safe.
I don’t know the answer − but Congressman Jim Jordan thinks he does. Jordan was interviewed on CNN last week and said that U.S. Rep. Max Miller is a good man.
What makes a good man?
So let’s talk about Max Miller. He is the Republican congressman representing Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, which covers parts of northeastern Ohio. Miller’s ex-wife has stated that he threw scalding water at her, held a gun to her head, and may have broken his two-year-old daughter’s collarbone. This “good man” − according to Jim Jordan − is also accused of abusing his previous girlfriend Stephanie Grisham, who served as one of Trump’s press secretaries during his first term.
Miller responded over the weekend, stating that he will remain in Congress and run for reelection. He tried to excuse his alleged abuse by implying his ex-wife had mental health problems − a classic abuser’s tactic of dismissing the woman as crazy. He also argued that because she communicated with him after the alleged abuse and invited him to dinner, the abuse could not have occurred. This is another excuse used by abusers, but the truth is that abuse victims often remain in contact with their abusers.
Character before party
I do not know what keeps Jordan and other GOP politicians from condemning this. When Graham Platner was accused of rape and other abuses, the Democratic Party cut off his financial support and essentially forced him out. I have personally been speaking out against Platner for some time − why am I showing more spine than all these supposed tough guys in the GOP?
You would think Jordan would be more careful about the company he keeps. While he was a wrestling coach at Ohio State, the team doctor, Richard Strauss, sexually abused nearly 200 athletes on the team over the years. Numerous people involved have stated that Jordan knew about the abuse but did not report it. Is he willing to (allegedly) make the same mistake all these years later with Miller? Will Jordan stand by while another man abuses the vulnerable? Does Jordan think Miller’s daughter broke her own collarbone?
Jordan excused the behavior by saying it was “a hard time” for Miller’s family. No. A hard time is when a family member gets sick, or they face some difficulty through no fault of their own. Miller has instead subjected his family to this terror, and is now selfishly continuing to run for office while denying his ex-wife’s claims.
Maybe some people will think I’m being too harsh on Congressman Miller. I’m a Democrat, so maybe some will think I’m doing this for partisan reasons. To those people, I ask: Would you trust Miller alone in a room with your daughter? Would you feel comfortable with him near your family?
If so, say so. Put your name on it and say he’s a good man − just like Jim Jordan did.
Ben Kelly works in government and is active in Democratic politics. He is an MPA graduate from Northern Kentucky University and a resident of Over-the-Rhine.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jim Jordan called Max Miller a good man. Why? | Opinion
Reporting by Ben Kelly, Opinion contributor / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ben Kelly, Opinion contributor | USA TODAY Network
