Did Jim Clyburn save the Democratic Party? If so, how? Who is he, anyway?
Thinking Citizen Blog — Sunday is Political Process, Campaign Strategy, and Candidate Selection Day
Today’s Topic: Did Jim Clyburn save the Democratic Party? If so, how? Who is he, anyway?
Biden looked done for. Then the South Carolina primary. What happened? Jim Clyburn. Who? If you are not a policy wonk, you might still never have heard of him. Well, he may go down in history as the guy who buried the Sanders campaign. How? With a speech. Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.
CLYBURN’S ENDORSEMENT (2/26/20) DROVE BIDEN’S VICTORY IN SOUTH CAROLINA
1. Biden carried 61% of the African American vote versus 16% for Sanders.
2. “61% said the endorsement from Clyburn, who has represented South Carolina for nearly three decades, was an important factor in their decision, including 27% who said it was “the most important factor.”
3. “Thirty-seven percent said they made up their minds about how to vote in the last few days before the primary. Among those late-deciding voters, 49% said they backed Biden while 16% supported Sanders.”
THIRD RANKING DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE, TOP RANKED AFRICAN AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN
1. Since 2019, Clyburn (D-South Carolina) has been the “Majority Whip” (third in rank behind Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer).
2. Previously had served as “Assistant Majority Whip” (2011–2019), and as “Majority Whip” (2007- 2011).
3. He has represented South Carolina’s 6th district since 1993.
THE SPEECH OF FEBRUARY 26th — “I know Joe Biden, but most importantly Joe knows us.” (Jim Clyburn)
1. “My buddy, Jim Clyburn, you brought me back…Jim Clyburn, my friend, who lifted me a and this campaign on his shoulders…” (Joe Biden, after the South Carolina triumph).
2. “No one has seen anything like it. It will live in our political lore.” (Peggy Noonan, WSJ).
3. “I know his heart. I know who he is. I know what he is.” (Jim Clyburn on Joe Biden)
NB: “Three days later South Carolina didn’t endorse Joe Biden, it gave him a wave that wouldn’t break, that swept across the South and beyond.” (Noonan)
Jim Clyburn saves Joe Biden and the American republic
