Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) voiced some uncertainty on Sunday when asked if Vice President Kamala Harris is the future of the Democratic Party.
“I see him as part of that future. Absolutely,” Clyburn, 83, told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“He can be like that [the future]. I think he ran a very good campaign,” he added.
Clyburn, who is credited with throwing a lifeline to upstart Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, still praises Harris.
“I see him as a successor to this president, but I also know his history. It is not a gift. You don’t go up automatically,” he said.
The longtime South Carolina congressman has served in various House Democratic leadership positions since the early 2000s.
He was the House majority whip from 2019 until early 2023, when Republicans took over. He now serves as the assistant leader of the House Democrats.
WATCH: Rep. James Clyburn (DS.C.) no longer calls Vice President Harris the future of the Democratic Party.@RepJamesClyburn: “He can be … It’s not a given. You are not automatically promoted. He has to compete.” pic.twitter.com/SpFZwNX4d2
— Meet The Press (@MeetThePress) September 24, 2023
Jim Clyburn has served in the House since the 1990s.NBC
Harris embarked on a month-long college tour earlier this month, criss-crossing the country, trying to get the youth vote with a message of freedom.
States on the itinerary include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.
He has an unimpressive net rating of -17.7 points, while President Biden is at -15.3 points, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate.
Former President George W. Bush allegedly credited Jim Clyburn with Joe Biden’s victory in 2020 during his subsequent inauguration. AP
Clyburn is emerging as a key figure in the 2020 Democratic primary.
Following a string of losses in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada that left his campaign on life support, Biden successfully staged a comeback in South Carolina, which political analysts attributed in part to Clyburn’s support.
The president has since pushed for the Democratic National Committee to make South Carolina the front-runner in the presidential primary race.
Kamala Harris has emphasized the importance of Democrats going into 2024, arguing that too much is at stake. Getty Images for the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
Clyburn on Sunday also played down concerns among some Democrats that Biden risks bleeding support among black Americans in the 2024 election.
During a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus on Saturday night, Biden name-dropped LL Cool J and then referred to him as a “boy,” before correcting course.
Kamala Harris is the first woman, black and Asian American to serve as vice president.Getty Images
“They will not stay at home. We understand what’s at stake here,” Clyburn responded when pressed about Biden’s support among black Americans.
“I was in that hall last night. I’ve been here all week and African Americans from all over the country,” he continued, “and if you think he’s lost 17% of support among African Americans, you just have one more thing coming.
“He doesn’t have any problems with African Americans in this country. I guarantee you are.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
