Jim Clyburn

Details On Clyburn's New Leadership Role Still Murky

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 16, 2010, 3:16PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

A day before House Democrats are expected to vote current Majority Whip Jim Clyburn into a newly-created position in the leadership of their new minority, no one can really say what the new job will entail.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- expected to be elected Minority Leader in the next Congress at tomorrow's Democratic Caucus meeting -- averted a potentially nasty leadership fight between Clyburn and currently Majority Leader Steny Hoyer over the number two slot in the minority by creating a new number three job called "Assistant Leader" in the next Congress. Hoyer is expected to be elected the Democrats' number two -- also known as Minority Whip -- and Clyburn the caucus' Assistant Leader.

A Democratic caucus aide said today that the Assistant Leader slot will be created by renaming the current Assistant To The Leader position when the caucus meets tomorrow. The current job is occupied by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who is not expected to challenge Clyburn's bid for the position.

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House Democratic Whip Race

House Democrats Strike Leadership Deal

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 13, 2010, 12:25PM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

House Democrats will begin the next Congress with a leadership team that looks much like the one they have now if a deal struck between Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn last night sticks. The essence of the plan: Pelosi will become Minority Leader, current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer will become Minority Whip and Clyburn -- the current Majority Whip -- will take a new number three job in the minority. Current Caucus Chair John Larson can remain in the Democrats' number four job in the new Congress.

Clyburn will take a newly created position called "Assistant Leader," according to a letter Pelosi sent to Democratic members today. As Roll Call reports, it's "unclear" what exactly the new position entails, or "whether the job is different from the Assistant to the Speaker position currently held by Rep. Chris Van Hollen."

The deal brings to an end a fight between Hoyer and Clyburn for the Whip job that threatened to mar Pelosi's expected transition into the House Democrats' top job when the Republicans take over in January. The final round of the Hoyer-Clyburn struggle came late last night when Pelosi threw her support behind Clyburn for the number three job.

"Without Jim Clyburn's determination, we would not have expanded college opportunities for millions of students, improved community health centers, or promoted jobs through investments in infrastructure, including rural broadband," Pelosi said.

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Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh Calls Dem Leaders Racist, Says Clyburn Should Chauffeur Pelosi

Brian Beutler | November 11, 2010, 5:48PM

Talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh accused House Democratic leaders of racism today, for attempting to squeeze Jim Clyburn (the highest ranking African-American congressman in history) out of party leadership... only to then suggest that Clyburn would be a good fit for a new position as Nancy Pelosi's chauffeur.

"We've got the Democrats worried that Clyburn's getting the shaft because he's not going to have a car, he's not going to have a driver, he's not going to have security, he's not going to have any of the stroke, or the perks," Limbaugh said. "A white, racist leadership of the Democrat party trying to ace out Clyburn." Limbaugh got his information on Clyburn's driver from Martin Frost, who appeared on MSNBC.

If Clyburn loses his race to be Democratic whip, he'll either have to drop out of party leadership, or move into a lower-ranking leadership position, with fewer perks. Limbaugh claimed that this supposed avarice is what's animating Clyburn's fight to stay in leadership... and then noted that Clyburn could keep his car if he was willing to drive around the party's white leader.

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James Clyburn

George Miller: I Want Both Clyburn And Hoyer In Leadership (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | November 10, 2010, 10:36AM

Leading House Democrats are still hoping to resolve a thickening leadership dispute pitting Majority Leader Steny Hoyer against Majority Whip James Clyburn, both of whom would like to be minority whip next Congress.

On MSNBC this morning, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) -- currently chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, and one of Nancy Pelosi's closest allies on the Hill -- said he thinks the two could figure out a compromise.

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Jim Clyburn

Clyburn Insisting On Vote For Whip

Brian Beutler | November 9, 2010, 3:16PM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

A source close to House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn just put the kibosh on the possibility of an orderly transition into the minority for Democrats.

Clyburn is running against House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to be the minority whip next year. Since late last week, Hoyer allies have called on the two contestants to end the race and agree to take the number two and three seats at the Democratic leadership table this January: Hoyer as Minority Whip, Clyburn as conference chair.

But Clyburn is now holding out for a vote within the Democratic caucus, the source said.

Taking a step down the ladder, according to the source, is "unworkable" for Clyburn.

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James Clyburn

Clyburn: Don't Count Me Out!

Brian Beutler | November 9, 2010, 9:39AM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)

After watching Majority Leader Steny Hoyer conduct an overt campaign to become House minority whip next year, current Whip Jim Clyburn is starting to make a more public play for the leadership office.

Last night, the Democratic Conference's Vice Chair Xavier Becerra became the first member of leadership to endorse in the contest -- and picked Clyburn.

"James Clyburn deserves to be reelected Democratic Whip in the 112th Congress," Becerra said in a statement. "Through some of the toughest legislative efforts in recent history--from health care to Wall Street reform--Mr. Clyburn found us the votes when they counted most. He fought to pass legislation that is putting America back to work and laying the foundation for a future where America leads the world in the new energy economy. He is a stalwart supporter of fixing our broken immigration system and providing every American a decent education and an equal shot at the American Dream. James Clyburn has my vote to continue as our Whip in the 112th Congress."

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Steny Hoyer

House Chairmen, Key Pelosi Allies Back Hoyer In Whip Race

Brian Beutler | November 9, 2010, 9:29AM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

A number of influential House chairmen, including key allies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have signed a letter this morning endorsing Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in his race against Democratic Whip James Clyburn to be the new minority whip next Congress.

"Leader Hoyer is ready to hit the ground running as Democratic Whip," the chairmen write. "He is one of our party's most effective messengers, with the ability to challenge Republicans on the Floor, build support for our party's middle-class policies across America, and fight back against the special-interest money that played such an important role for Republicans in this election."

Like us, Congressman Hoyer
understands that Americans do not support the Republican agenda of repealing health care reform, loosening rules that protect consumers and our environment, privatizing Social Security, and funding tax cuts for the wealthy with billions of dollars in new debt.

Steny Hoyer is a tested leader who can help Democrats rise to the challenge of the next Congress, protect the interests of the middle class, and win back the majority. For those reasons, we support Steny Hoyer as our next Democratic Whip, and we hope that you will do the same.

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Steny Hoyer

Sources: Hoyer's Official Bid For Whip Indicates He Has The Votes To Win

Brian Beutler | November 8, 2010, 5:16PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Current House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) today made official his bid to take the position of Minority Whip in the 112th Congress, a strong indication that he and his supporters think he can win. A source close to Hoyer told TPMDC that they were, in fact, confident they now had the votes to win. Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC) is currently the Whip and indicated last week that he wants to keep his position in the next Congress.

Hoyer spent much of the weekend lining up support from moderate and progressive Dems alike, picking up Reps.Peter Welch (VT) early on and Betty Sutton (OH) and Niki Tsongas (MA) today, among others.

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Steny Hoyer

As Whip Decision Nears, Members Clamor For Resolution To Leadership Fight

Brian Beutler | November 8, 2010, 3:59PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

House Democratic leaders are on the cusp of a deal to resolve the short-lived, but intense, leadership fight between Reps. Steny Hoyer (MD) and Jim Clyburn (SC).

The two camps have gone silent all day, as they negotiate a resolution that satisfies the full leadership team. An announcement could come at any moment, and it come as a great relief to supporters of both men, who really see no reason for either to be removed from the table.

Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) came out quickly for Hoyer on Friday, and the Hoyer camp cited him early on as one of the progressives who'd thrown his support to the majority leader. But in an interview with TPMDC this afternoon, he said that it's important that both men stay in leadership, and he's pressing the leadership to reach an agreement.

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House Democratic Whip Race

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Backs Clyburn's Leadership Bid

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 8, 2010, 12:41PM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

Rep. Jim Clyburn's (D-SC) colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus have chosen to back his bid for a spot in the Democratic leadership, according to CBC chair Barbara Lee (D-CA).

The AP reports that Lee has sent a letter of support for Clyburn's run for Minority Whip, which will be the second highest position in the House Democratic leadership when the Republicans take over in January. Lee's letter said "that Democrats need Clyburn's expertise 'bridg(ing) what divides us' during the next two years," the AP reports.

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House Democratic Whip Race

Clyburn On Whip Race: 'I've Been The Underdog Most Of My Political Life' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | November 8, 2010, 11:18AM

Appearing earlier today on Morning Joe, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) was asked by Mark Halperin whether he was the favorite or the underdog in the House Democratic leadership contest between himself and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) for Minority Whip in the upcoming Congress.

"Well I suspect that I've been the underdog most of my political life, and I probably am the underdog in this race," said Clyburn. "I've only been here 18 years. Steny's been here around 30. I have my friends, he's got his friends. And the two of us are friends."

"We are talking constantly, everybody is doing this in the open, nothing surreptitiously about this. So Steny and I have talked daily throughout this contest, and we are not going to leave this contest angry at each other. We're gonna be in a good place when it's all over, irrespective of the outcome."

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James Clyburn

Pelosi Quiet As Hoyer And Clyburn Battle It Out For Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 8, 2010, 10:44AM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Top Democrats in Washington wish their big electoral defeat Tuesday hadn't been followed by a divisive leadership fight in the House. But that's what happened Friday when, minutes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she would run to be the Dems' Minority Leader, her vote-counter James Clyburn announced he would run for Minority Whip, touching off a leadership race between himself and Steny Hoyer.

Over the weekend, both men and their allies worked the phones relentlessly to shore up support. But publicly, the two camps picked very different strategies for managing public expectations of the outcome. Team Hoyer has been working the media, rolling out ever-longer lists of members who've publicly committed to backing their guy.

"Hoyer's going to win," one source close to Hoyer told TPM.

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House Democratic Whip Race

High Profile Dems Back Hoyer In Whip Race

Brian Beutler | November 7, 2010, 4:52PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Thirty House Democrats from across the political spectrum have signed on to a letter supporting Steny Hoyer in his race against Jim Clyburn to be Minority Whip next Congress.

We are writing to encourage you to join us in supporting Steny Hoyer as our next House Democratic Whip. We know that this is a trying time for our country and our party-but the first step in standing up for the middle-class and winning back the House majority is electing a strong leadership team to unify our Caucus. Majority Leader Hoyer has been an essential part of our Caucus's leadership in the 111th Congress, and we need his leadership in the days ahead.

You can read the entire letter below. Included among its signatories are John Dingell -- the "Dean" of the House -- respected progressive Jerrold Nadler, Blue Dogs like Larry Kissell and Jason Altmire, and Silvestre Reyes, an influential member of the Hispanic caucus.

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House Democratic Whip Race

Progressives For Steny? Liberal Members Line Up For Moderate Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 6, 2010, 8:10PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

We have a race!

When Jim Clyburn threw his name into contention to be the Democrats' Minority Whip next Congress yesterday, it touched off a tough race between himself and the Dems' current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The results of the midterm elections didn't help Hoyer. Many of the members who lost were moderate and conservative Democrats who saw Hoyer as a sympathetic ally in an otherwise liberal leadership. Clyburn, has significant support among members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is more ideologically aligned with the progressive-leaning minority.

Not so fast, though.

A number of House progressives -- members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, even -- are circling their wagons around Hoyer, hoping to balance the leadership ticket next year.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter to Democratic members, progressive Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) made the pitch for Hoyer.

"I believe that it is in the best interests of our Caucus to keep Majority Leader Hoyer as a member of our Democratic leadership team--a team that helped Democrats pass a range of landmark legislation," Polis wrote. "Keeping Steny Hoyer in leadership will help to unify our Caucus and ensure that House Democrats hit the ground running in the new Congress."

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House Democratic Whip Race

Inside The Bruising Democratic Leadership Fight: Pelosi Moves To Box Out Hoyer

Brian Beutler | November 5, 2010, 4:57PM

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with other House Democrats

Here's what we know about the brewing House Democratic leadership struggle, and how the situation emerged.

The short version is this: By losing the Speakership, Democrats lose a leadership position. If the hope is to transition the current leadership team over into the minority, somebody's gotta go. Nancy Pelosi's apparently angling for that person to be current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

At a long meeting between Pelosi and Hoyer after the election, Hoyer and Pelosi discussed the issue of Democratic leadership extensively, according to a democratic aide and a member of the Democratic caucus.

As recently as last night, Pelosi was saying publicly that she hadn't even really had time to think about whether to fight for the top slot in the House Minority. But clearly that wasn't quite the case.

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Steny Hoyer

Hoyer Likely To Challenge Clyburn For Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 5, 2010, 2:43PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Steny Hoyer won't be challenging Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader. But he's very likely to challenge James Clyburn (the current Majority Whip) in the race to be Minority Whip next Congress.

In a statement, Hoyer says "Speaker Pelosi has announced that she will be running for Democratic Leader in the next Congress. In the days since the election, I have received an outpouring of support from Democratic colleagues who have told me that I should remain in our party's leadership, so that our Caucus can hit the ground running with a strong, tested leadership team. Over the next several days, I will continue to speak to my colleagues about serving our Caucus as Democratic Whip, and I will announce a decision after I have consulted with them."

For a bit of context, Clyburn is a Pelosi ally. Hoyer and Pelosi, by contrast, haven't had the best relationship, and clashed frequently. Clyburn's swift announcement of his intentions, on the heels of Pelosi's decision -- combined with the fact that Pelosi has urged Larson to seek the third-ranking position in the minority -- suggests that the two of them are trying to consolidate power and squeeze Hoyer out. Seems like he's not going gently.

James Clyburn

Clyburn Running For Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 5, 2010, 2:03PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

In a letter this morning, House Majority Whip James Clyburn asked for his colleagues support in a bid to be Minority Whip next Congress.

I am seeking your support and vote for Democratic Whip. Throughout the course of my tenure, I have demonstrated the ability and willingness to give selfless service to our Caucus. My record of leadership in our Caucus has prepared me well for the challenges ahead. I am confident we can rebuild the coalition that carried Democrats and President Obama into office in 2008 and that it will lead us on the road back to the majority in 2012.

This is pretty clearly a bid to squeeze Steny Hoyer out of the leadership. Hoyer's currently Majority Leader, but after his base of conservative Democrats was demolished in the last election, he'd have a hard time defeating either Pelosi -- who's running for Minority Leader -- or Clyburn.

You can read the full letter below the fold.

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