Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., announced on Tuesday that he would back Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination if President Biden decides to withdraw from the re-election race.
Despite his hope for a continued Biden-Harris ticket, Clyburn expressed the necessity for the party to rally behind Harris.
During an interview with USA Today, Clyburn stressed the importance of supporting Harris, regardless of her current polling numbers.
“We should do everything we can to bolster her, whether it’s in second place or the top of the ticket,” Clyburn also told MSNBC in a separate interview.
The discussion arose amid increasing calls from voters, Democratic officials, and media personalities for Biden to step down following his heavily criticized debate performance.
When directly questioned Clyburn about the possibility of Harris taking Biden’s place at the top of the ticket, despite concerns about her popularity.
“How would you feel if they worked around and tried to go around Kamala Harris because of her lack of high poll numbers and popularity broadly based? Do you think it is hers to have if it’s not his?” MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell asked.
Clyburn responded firmly:
“I will support her, if he were to step aside. But I’m going to support her going forward and sometime in the future. I want this ticket to continue to be Biden-Harris. And then we will see what happens after the next election.”
He also expressed discomfort at the idea of bypassing Harris for another candidate.
“This party should not, in any way, do anything to work around Ms. Harris,” he declared.
Despite the speculation about Biden’s potential replacement, Clyburn noted that Democratic voters remain steadfast in their support for the current president.
“The Democratic voters, what I call the grassrooters, they are dug in on this,” he said, adding, “Joe Biden may decide otherwise. But I think the people that I have been around the last three days are dug in in their support for Joe Biden.”
As the Democratic Party prepares for a potentially tumultuous primary season, Clyburn’s endorsement highlights the ongoing debate about the future leadership of the party.
