Clyburn’s influence on Biden-Harris ticket overlooked in defeat

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As Democrats grapple with the aftermath of Kamala Harris’s defeat to former President Donald Trump, a key figure behind her rise to prominence has largely escaped scrutiny. While party members are quick to blame Joe Biden for not stepping aside sooner, few have focused on the influential role played by South Carolina Representative James Clyburn.

Rewind to 2020, when Biden’s primary campaign was faltering after poor performances in early states. With Bernie Sanders gaining momentum, Clyburn’s endorsement of Biden before the South Carolina primary proved pivotal. This crucial support helped mobilize black voters and revitalized Biden’s campaign.

Dear democrats- it's time for you all to start cleaning house in your party. You can almost say it's time to take out the garbage. Here are some suggestions.
Barack Obama
Michelle Obama
Hillary Clinton
Bill Clinton
Jim Clyburn
Nancy Pelosi
Chuck Schumer
Gavin Newsom
Start here…

— Ron Milner (@RonMilnerBoodle) November 6, 2024

Following the Biden-Harris victory over Trump, Clyburn revealed to CNN that he had privately urged Biden to select a black woman as his running mate. The congressman expressed confidence in this advice, stating, “I said to him in private that I thought that a lot of the results would turn on whether that woman (would) be a black woman.”

Clyburn’s influence on Biden’s decision-making process cannot be understated. The endorsement during the primary created a sense of indebtedness, which Biden seemingly repaid by following Clyburn’s recommendation for a black female running mate.

As Democrats search for explanations and cast blame for their recent defeat, Clyburn’s role in shaping the ticket has largely gone unnoticed. The party’s reluctance to acknowledge his influence highlights a broader lack of self-reflection regarding Harris’s candidacy, both in 2020 and in the recent election.

Clyburn: "There were African Americans coming into the polling booth asking for assistance to split their ticket, they wanted to vote for Democrats at the local level and for Trump." pic.twitter.com/pFyAKAZGfK

— RCP Video (@rcpvideo) November 7, 2024

While fingers are pointed at various factors, including alleged racism, misogyny, and shifts in voter demographics, the party seems unwilling to confront the possibility that Harris was not the right candidate for the job. This failure to critically assess their own decision-making process may hinder the Democrats’ ability to learn from this defeat and make more strategic choices in future elections.