Clyburn thinks Sanders may make it tougher for Democrats to keep House majority


Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) thinks that even if Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) proves himself to be the preferred candidate of the Democratic Party nationwide, his win could have consequences down the line.
During an appearance on ABC's This Week, host George Stephanopoulos asked Clyburn if a victory from Sanders, who describes himself as a Democratic Socialist, could harm the Democrats' chances of maintaining its majority in the House. Clyburn said it will likely add an "extra burden" in some places — like the more moderate and conservatives districts in South Carolina — where Democrats pulled upsets in the last midterm election. Clyburn said it'll be a challenge to hold on to those districts if candidates have to advocate for a democratic socialist.
"South Carolinians are pretty leery about that title 'socialist,'" he said.
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Clyburn also said he'll finally make an endorsement this coming Wednesday, the morning after Tuesday's debate in South Carolina. Clyburn serves as the majority whip, and his support will likely go a long way in the Palmetto State, though it seems unlikely Sanders will get the nod.
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Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
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