Clyburn presses Dems to unify as DNC nears with Biden candidacy in question

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) is urging Democrats to unify behind Biden as the Democratic convention approaches. 

As of Saturday the number of Democratic lawmakers calling for Biden to step aside and those voicing public support is split exactly down the middle, with 35 making statements to either effect.

“We are not unanimous in our support for the president but we are certainly unified in that support,” Clyburn told MSNBC Sunday morning. 

“This process, this drama that they created — it may not be healthy, but it is curable. But we must stay focused, stay steady. We will win this race if we do so,” he added.

Clyburn has stood behind Biden since the presidential debate, where the president’s poor performance and weak appearance launched public concerns about his ability to serve another term. After the debate, Clyburn advised Biden that he “stay the course” and told those calling him to leave to “chill out.”

Clyburn, who helped Biden gain approval among Black voters during the 2020 Democratic party, has been joined by other prominent Black members of the Democratic caucus in rallying behind the president. 

Over 1,400 Black women signed a letter on Thursday in support of Biden writing that a “divided house will fail.”

“I have never seen in modern times a wide open convention be successful in November. It has not happened, and I don’t think it will happen now,” Clyburn said, drawing from his recollection of the divisive 1972 and 1980 Democratic National Convention.

Clyburn recently noted that he expected that a “mini-primary” would likely take place at the convention if Biden were to step aside. At the time, he endorsed opening up the field in that event, however, his latest statement indicated that he would like to avoid a contested convention altogether.

“I think that we’d better go into Chicago unified as one part and one big love fest that we will share with the American people,” Clyburn added.

“We are not unanimous on anything. but we are unified. We are a unified party and we are unified in support of Joe Biden.”