Jim Clyburn gives Joe Biden key South Carolina endorsement

Jim Clyburn.
(Image credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Former Vice President Joe Biden picked up the coveted presidential endorsement from Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Wednesday, the morning after Tuesday night's debate in Charleston.

The decision was expected — the two are old friends, and Clyburn has praised Biden consistently throughout the Democratic primaries. But it's still a big get for Biden with South Carolina heading to the polls on Saturday for the South's first primary. The vice president has remained the favorite in the Palmetto State for quite some time, but he's looked more vulnerable as the national frontrunner, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), makes gains.

Still, Biden has received some positive reviews for his latest debate performance, and some more recent polling suggest he's still in good standing in South Carolina, so Clyburn's endorsement could very well strengthen his lead. Clyburn is a prominent Democratic voice in South Carolina and Washington alike. He serves as the House majority whip and is the highest-ranking black member of Congress.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"I can think of no one better suited, better prepared, I can think of no one with more integrity, no one more committed to the fundamental principles that make this country what it is than my good friend," Clyburn said, appearing alongside Biden at a South Carolina event. Read more at The Associated Press.

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Tim O'Donnell

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.