Clyburn says Biden should 'stay the course' despite debate performance
![Clyburn says Biden should 'stay the course' despite debate performance](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/bidenSCchurch1.jpg?w=900)
Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) is swatting away arguments that President Biden should step down from the Democratic ticket after his subpar debate performance Thursday evening, contending that the incumbent should “stay the course.”
Clyburn — who is widely considered responsible for Biden's crucial primary victory in South Carolina that propelled him to the nomination in 2020 — said he thought Biden had a “poor performance” at the debate, calling it “strike one.”
“If this were a ball game he’s got two more swings,” he added.
But when asked about remarks from Democrats that the incumbent should step aside, the longtime House member urged the president to plow ahead.
“Stay the course,” Clyburn said when asked to respond to calls for Biden to leave the top of the ticket. “Chill out.”
Clyburn said he would “probably” speak with Biden later on Friday and would deliver the “stay the course” message.
The show of support from Clyburn came less than 24 hours after Thursday night’s presidential debate, where Biden — while up against former President Trump — at times tripped over his words and appeared to lose his train of thought.
The performance has fueled commentary among pundits and lawmakers that Biden — who is 81 — should step aside and let another Democrat assume the spot at the top of the presidential ticket.
Asked Friday if he thinks there’s a better Democrat to communicate the party’s platform, Clyburn, who served in House Democratic leadership for more than two decades before stepping down earlier this year, responded: “No.”
“There’s no better Democrat,” he added.
Clyburn’s message jives with that of other top Democrats, who backed up Biden following the debate.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters “no” when asked if Biden should step aside, though he later said “I’m gonna reserve comment about anything relative to where we are at this moment other than to say I stand behind the ticket” when asked if Biden is the most effective person to relay Democrats’ message.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Biden “got off to a bad start; I thought he came through OK on the issues later,” adding “I think that on his worst night, his presentation of integrity was far better than the other guy’s dishonesty.”
Clyburn has been a close ally of Biden for years, especially during the 2020 presidential campaign, when he threw his support behind the then Democratic presidential candidate ahead of the South Carolina primary, turbocharging his struggling campaign. Biden's victory in the Palmetto State’s primary served as a turning point for his campaign, putting him on the path to the Democratic nomination and, eventually, the White House.
Date: | |
Tag: | Joe Biden |
Topics
Filter
-
The Guardian - World
England players should share blame for poor performances, says Phil Foden
‘I feel sorry for Gareth. We have to be leaders’Southgate’s side face Switzerland in Euro quarter-finalPhil Foden has defended Gareth Southgate’s tactics and insisted England’s players should shoulder more of the blame for the team’s ... -
Politico - Politics
Biden campaign sends memo to House allies to quell fears following debate performance
Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Clyburn expects ‘mini primary’ for Democrats if Biden withdraws
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said he would support the idea of a “mini primary” for the Democratic Party to choose a new candidate if President Biden decides to suspend his campaign amid growing concern from voters. Clyburn joined CNN’s Erica Hill on ...Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Smokey Robinson pans 'ridiculous' Biden-Trump debate but says 'age is a number'
Legendary singer Smokey Robinson says after their "ridiculous" debate, he won't be singing "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" about either President Biden or former President Trump. "I'm not comfortable with either one of them, after what we saw ...Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
Biden tells campaign staff: ‘No one is pushing me out ... I’m not leaving’; second House Democrat urges him to quit race – live
Biden and Harris reiterate to DNC that they are in the 2024 race together; Raúl Grijalva of Arizona says now is an ‘opportunity to look elsewhere’. White House denies Biden is weighing his candidacyWho could replace Joe Biden? Here are six ...Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
White House says gender-affirming surgeries should be limited to adults
The Biden administration said it opposes gender-affirming surgery for transgender minors, deviating from past statements that broadly support gender-affirming health care for youth and angering LGBTQ groups that have backed President Biden in the ... -
The Hill - Politics
On Biden’s debate, Democrats have no one to blame but themselves
Democrats' attempts to protect President Biden from scrutiny has resulted in a lack of viable replacements, leaving them stuck with a senile candidate and no bench for the 2028 election.Joe Biden -
ABC News - Top stories
Buzz builds around Kamala Harris should Biden withdraw
Momentum builds for Harris to replace Biden at the top of the ticket with new polling showing her outperforming Biden in a hypothetical matchup with Trump.Joe Biden -
CNBC - Business
Biden tells ally he's weighing whether to stay in the race: Reports
The reported conversation with the ally came amid the fallout from Biden's devastating presidential debate with Trump.Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Biden, Harris join campaign call to stress staying on ticket
President Biden and Vice President Harris joined a call with their reelection campaign staff on Wednesday, during which the president stressed that he will stay on the top of the ticket amid panic within the party over whether he should step ...
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Federal judge issues narrow pause on FTC noncompete ban
A federal judge on Wednesday granted a preliminary injunction on a nationwide ban on noncompete agreements issued this spring, calling into question its future in the face of opposition by prominent business groups. The Dallas-based tax firm Ryan ... -
The Hill - Politics
Gas export projects in limbo
Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story Gas export projects in limbo despite court ruling New gas export projects will likely remain in limbo for many months despite ... -
The Hill - Politics
Clyburn expects ‘mini primary’ for Democrats if Biden withdraws
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said he would support the idea of a “mini primary” for the Democratic Party to choose a new candidate if President Biden decides to suspend his campaign amid growing concern from voters. Clyburn joined CNN’s Erica Hill on ...Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Judge blocks Biden administration's new transgender health protections
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked enforcement of a new Biden administration rule bolstering health care protections for LGBTQ people, handing a preliminary legal victory to more than a dozen Republican-led states that challenged it ...Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Biden in fundraising pitch: 'No one is pushing me out'
President Biden said nobody “is pushing” him “out” in a fundraising email sent Wednesday as his campaign faces headwinds following a bad performance versus former President Trump in a debate last week. “I'm the Democratic Party’s nominee,” the ...Joe Biden