Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

As I wrote last week, The New York Times reported that House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn was "rethinking his neutral stance" on the South Carolina primary and was considering endorsing Obama in the wake of Hillary Clinton's comments about the civil rights movement that he found insensitive.

Mr. Clyburn, a veteran of the civil rights movement and a power in state Democratic politics, put himself on the sidelines more than a year ago to help secure an early primary for South Carolina, saying he wanted to encourage all candidates to take part. But he said recent remarks by the Clintons that he saw as distorting civil rights history could change his mind.

Today, The Hill reports that he's decided against endorsing.

Clyburn, who also noted that he "has no plans to make an endorsement," also spoke with Obama and Hillary Clinton upon his return, he said Monday night on PBS's "The Charlie Rose Show."

The decision seems to have come after speaking to both the Obama and Clinton campaigns upon his return from a 10-day trip yesterday.  

Seeking to quell the fight between the presidential campaigns of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), former President Bill Clinton spoke to House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) within an hour of the lawmaker returning from a 10-day trip abroad.

Or perhaps he just floated the suggestion that he'd endorse to get the attention of the squabbling campaigns. I don't think it's a coincidence that both campaigns issued statements, essentially calling a truce, on the same day they spoke with Clyburn.  

But hidden within the Hill article is an interesting quote from Clyburn, I believe from his appearance on Charlie Rose, speaking of his conversation with Bill Clinton yesterday, in which he almost appears to give a defacto endorsement of Barack Obama.

"We talked about the unfortunate circumstances that we find ourselves in," Clyburn, who is black, said with regard to his conversation with the former president. The lawmaker pledged to Bill Clinton that he would do his "level best to help get us beyond this, because this campaign is about change."

What do you think? Sounds like code for "vote for Barack Obama" to me.

Tags: 2008 Presidential election, Barack Obama, Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton, James Clyburn, South Carolina Primary (all tags)

Comments

24 Comments

A Stretch

That's a bit of a stretch, me thinks.

by BigBoyBlue 2008-01-15 10:25AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

from that one line? Nah.

by kevin22262 2008-01-15 10:26AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

I thought Romney was the Change candidate now.

by DPW 2008-01-15 10:26AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

A lot of the diaries you post are not deserving of a front page post.

Nothing of substance.

He said he is not endorsing , you would think that would be the end of the story , but in your infinite wisdom you want us to start psycho analyzing his words.

Thats not really worthy of the front page . Enough of this yellow journalism you like to push.

by lori 2008-01-15 10:28AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

Wow, that seems more than a bit uncalled for.  Todd asked a question in his post.  Why not simply respond instead of insulting him personally.  

And by the way, I say that as someone that ultimately agrees with you on this issue.  If Clyburn wanted to send a message, he would be more direct about it.  I wish he had endorsed Obama, who I support, but he didn't.  

But none of that means it's OK to attack Todd the way you just did.  Man, this really is the silly season...

by HSTruman 2008-01-15 10:33AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

I don't see any personal attacks in my statements.

I am actually arguing that the diary itself has no substance .

Yes its silly season if you think there was a personal attack in there.

I don't do personal attack .

by lori 2008-01-15 10:42AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?
Lori,
     wow That the first time you sounds so angry. I had the same reaction to the video too but I don't think it's an endorsement. He was making a factual statement.
by Jr1886 2008-01-15 10:38AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

You are right that might have been harsh.

But if you have seen the diaries Todd has been putting on the front page since New Hampshire , you would have to wonder what is going on.

A lot of crappy stuff.

He said he is not endorsing , yet we are supposed to psycho analyze 3 words .

by lori 2008-01-15 10:45AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

I don't think I see that.  Todd, as you have already pointed out part of the whole Clinton thing now is redefining the change vs. experience debate and turning it into a 'who can accomplish change' debate.

by rcipw 2008-01-15 10:29AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

Todd, I'm sorry but your analysis this bullshit. I have never said this about any front pager before, not even Bowers of Stoller, whom I did not care for. But something's got to give with your posts and I hope Jerome corrects it. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own bullshit!

by lonnette33 2008-01-15 10:30AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

Come again? How did you come to this conclusion?

by LakersFan 2008-01-15 10:30AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

I thought the same thing too when I watched the video. Then again, the polls show this election is about change so that's a factual statement.

by Jr1886 2008-01-15 10:34AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

It seems to me that he is saying that the campaign as a whole is about change and that the candidates should be focusing on how they are going to bring about positive change rather than focusing on a petty feud.

by JDF 2008-01-15 10:35AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

Sounds like an argument for Edwards to me, as everyone knows his approach would be most effective in accomplishing change.  Or maybe it's an argument for Clinton, who we all know has been making change for 35 years.  Or perhaps he backs Kucinich...

by Steve M 2008-01-15 10:36AM | 0 recs
Or Huckabee. Or Romney.

Or Clinton.  Or Edwards.

All are promising to bring change.

Last I checked Obama doesn't own that theme.  It is trotted out in every campaign.

There is enough in Clyburns statement for everyone to find something they like, or to take from it what they will.

by dpANDREWS 2008-01-15 10:46AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

When did Obama assume full ownership over the word "change"?

by lorax 2008-01-15 10:50AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

Todd you need to put your love for Obama aside and try to look at things from the planet earth not the moon.

Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying

by GregNYC 2008-01-15 10:57AM | 0 recs
Um
So the declaration that he will stay neitral leads you to believe he will endorse Obama? Frankly, I wonder about some of you, incuding Todd.
by Big Tent Democrat 2008-01-15 11:55AM | 0 recs
Subliminal messages?
Oooookaaaay.
by Big Tent Democrat 2008-01-15 01:29PM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

"remourseful"

That comment did bother me too gladiatorstail.  I thought to myself, what did they have to be "remourseful" about. Maybe you are right! May I am wrong!

by lonnette33 2008-01-15 11:02AM | 0 recs
Oh Jeezuz H Christ

Parseth much Todd?

by rapcetera 2008-01-15 11:07AM | 0 recs
I'm sure the 75 people

who watched the interview agree completely. J/K.

I think that from some of his statements that he is leaning towards Obama, but that he doesn't want to burn any bridges.

by highgrade 2008-01-15 11:45AM | 0 recs
You gotta be kidding me
A new low of a post for you Todd.
by Big Tent Democrat 2008-01-15 11:54AM | 0 recs
Re: Is James Clyburn Really Staying Neutral?

I think he basically ruined any kind of endorsement for Obama when he announced possibly endorsing him to spite Clinton for the NYTimes' faulty reporting of her comments. What kind of endorsement of someone's leadership is it when you gave it not because of your opinion of the man you're endorsing but because you want to punish somebody else?

by bowiegeek 2008-01-15 01:06PM | 0 recs

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