Reporters stunned by top Dem 'so brazenly' discussing way forward if Biden resigns

03 July 2024

While US Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) became the first elected Democratic official to call on President Joe Biden to step aside on Tuesday, July 2, most of the party's lawmaker's still back the president despite his shaking debate performance last week.

Politico reports US Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), a close ally to the president, on Wednesday said if Biden does decide to quit, the South Carolina lawmaker "would expect to see a 'mini-primary' ahead of the Democratic National Convention with Kamala Harris and Democratic governors vying for the top two spots on the party’s ticket."

Clyburn was asked during a CNN interview if Harris should be next in line in the case Biden steps aside, to which he replied, "Well, I think we’re going to have a mini-primary leading into the convention. You can actually fashion the process that’s already in place to make it a mini-primary, and I would support that absolutely. We can’t close that down, and we should open up everything for the general election."

Several journalists responded to the longtime Biden ally via social media, calling his comments quite "significant."

Semafor Washington editor Jordan Weissmann said: "Clyburn just talking openly like this is the thing that makes me think Biden might be done"

Former Financial Times editor Lionel Barber noted: "Rep Jim Clyburn - who saved Biden in 2020 - opens door to a mini Democratic primary should Potus step aside. Feels significant even if his team protests he was answering a hypothetical question. Veteran Clyburn knows what he is saying."

Washington Examiner columnistJeremiah Poff wrote: "I remain quite skeptical that Biden is going to step aside. But the fact that close allies are now answering hypothetical questions about replacing him is a telling sign about the mood of the Democratic Party."

The Nation writer Jeet Heer added: "Clyburn did more than just about anyone aside from Obama to get Biden the nomination in 2020, so kind of significant he is so brazenly talking about an alternative slate."

According to Politico, "A spokesperson for Clyburn emphasized in a statement to POLITICO that the congressman was answering 'a hypothetical question' in his CNN appearance."

Clyburn spokesperson Brianna Fieas said, "It is quite obvious that Congressman Clyburn was responding to a hypothetical question. He was not calling for a ‘mini primary.’ Instead, he was explaining the existing process. The Congressman fully supports President Biden at the top of the ticket and it would be irresponsible to report anything otherwise.”

Politico's full report is here.

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