House whip backs Biden ahead of South Carolina primary
US Representative Jim Clyburn – the highest-ranking black member of Congress and the kingmaker of South Carolina’s Democratic political orbit – has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
Yesterday’s backing could provide a much-needed boost for the former vice-president heading into South Carolina’s primary. “I can think of no one better suited, better prepared,” Mr Clyburn said, appearing with Biden at an event in North Charleston.
“I can think of no one with the integrity, no one more committed to the fundamental principles that make this country what it is than my good friend.”
He called on the people of South Carolina to “stand with” Mr Biden.
It had long been expected that Mr Clyburn, the House majority whip, would support Mr Biden. The men were in Congress together for more than a decade, with Mr Clyburn also working closely with the Obama administration in his House leadership roles.
Mr Biden was among the senior politicians who attended two days of funeral and homegoing services last year for Mr Clyburn’s wife Emily.
The support could help Mr Biden avoid limping across the finish line in Saturday’s balloting in South Carolina, where he has long led in polling, particularly among the black voters, who comprise most of the Democratic electorate.
But that lead has tightened in recent months, in part because of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ momentum after success in other early state contests.
Another factor is the focus of candidates including California billionaire Tom Steyer, who has spent millions of dollars on ads in the state. Democrats meanwhile unleashed a roaring assault againstmrsandersandseized onmikebloomberg’spastwith women in the workplace during a contentious debate that tested the strength of the two men.
As the undeniable Democratic frontrunner, Mr Sanders faced the brunt of the attacks for much of the night. For one of the few times, fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren was among the critics.
The Massachusetts senator pressed the case that she could execute ideas the Vermont senator could only talk about. “Bernie and I agree on a lot of things,” she said. “But I think I would make a better president than Bernie.”
The intensity of Tuesday’s forum, with candidates repeatedly shouting over each other, reflected the reality the Democrats’ establishment wing is quickly running out of time to stop Mr Sanders’ rise. Even some critics, Mr Bloomberg among them, conceded Mr Sanders could build an insurmountable delegate lead as soon as next week.