House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) warned about Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) being the nominee for the Democratic Party. According to Clyburn, having Sanders at the top of the ticket would make it extremely difficult for the Democrats to keep their majority in the House of Representatives.
"As far as Bernie Sanders goes, he built out that coalition in the state of Nevada, a broader coalition than he had in New Hampshire and in Iowa, but you're already starting to see these attacks for his background as a democratic socialist," ABC News' George Stephanopoulos said. "How deep will that cut in South Carolina and, if he's the nominee, do you think it could put the House majority in danger?"
"I do think it'll be an extra burden for us to have to carry," Clyburn explained. "This is South Carolina and South Carolinians are pretty leery about that title 'socialist,' and so I think that would be a real burden for us in these states or congressional districts that we have to do well in."
The House Majority Whip reminded Stephanopoulos that the districts Democrats won in the 2018 midterm elections were moderate and conservative, not "liberal or progressive."
"And in those districts, it would be tough to hold onto these jobs if you have to make the case for accepting a self-proclaimed democratic socialist," Clyburn said.
“A lot of people think so,” Rep. Jim Clyburn tells @GStephanopoulos when asked if Sanders being the nominee could put the House majority in danger.
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 23, 2020
“I think that that would be a real burden for us in these states,” he says, pointing to "socialist" label. https://t.co/erJgQTZHM7 pic.twitter.com/eQiU1ORA6L
Even though Clyburn is the most powerful Democrat in South Carolina, he said he will not endorse one of the presidential candidates until after the South Carolina debate on Tuesday. He will make his preference known on Wednesday.
Rep. Jim Clyburn tells @GStephanopoulos he won’t endorse a candidate ahead of the South Carolina debate on Tuesday: “I’m going to honor this debate. I’m not going to distract from it at all … But on Wednesday morning I will let my choice be known.” https://t.co/C8JeOODnLv pic.twitter.com/VtsCuErowb
— ABC News (@ABC) February 23, 2020
According to Politico, Clyburn has made campaign appearances on behalf of former Vice President Joe Biden:
Big: Clyburn says he will endorse ahead of South Carolina primary.
— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) February 23, 2020
(He has already made appearances at Biden events in the state, per @lbarronlopez) https://t.co/7p1XaWrN6P
How South Carolina shakes out will be rather interesting. Biden has repeatedly pointed to his support among African Americans in the state. How he does in South Carolina could determine whether or not his campaign is floundering (which we all know it is). It's just a matter of whether or not he's willing to admit it to himself.