James Clyburn (R-SC), a so-called “kingmaker” in the Democratic Party, provided a strong defense for President Joe Biden as pressure mounts for him to declare his intentions regarding running for a second term amid controversy regarding classified documents found in his residence, garage, and at his office at the Biden Penn Center.
In an interview with CBS News on Thursday morning, host Robert Costa asked Clyburn to comment on the President’s handling of classified documents, and if he believed the growing kerfuffle would impact his ability to run for reelection in 2024.
Costa reviewed the history of how classified documents were found in multiple places and how the timeline for the disclosure of those documents does not seem to match Biden’s statements regarding how classified papers were immediately turned over to the Dept. of Justice and made known to the public.
Costa then asked Clyburn if he would characterize the president’s handling of the matter as “unusual?”
Clyburn responded: “I do not see anything unusual about this at all.”
Costa again reviewed some of the history regarding how the White House kept secret for several months news of the first batch of classified documents and sent attorneys without high-security clearance to search for classified documents and how attorneys found additional classified documents after the White House had declared the matter closed.
Costa asked Clyburn: “Are you worried about the president because these revelations [concerning classified documents] keep getting weirder and weirder?”
Clyburn replied: “No. I am not worried about it at all.”
Costa pressed: “Do you think this endangers his running [for President in 2024]?
Clyburn replied: “No, I don’t think this endangers his running at all … these things happen.”
Clyburn added: “I’m all-in for President Biden. I think he’s demonstrated in these two years … that he is deserving of reelection. And I do believe he will be reelected irrespective of who the Republicans put up.”
Clyburn also noted he had encouraged Biden to run in 2024:
“I’ve told him on many occasions that I believe that he ought to announce for reelection and get the playbook laid down by Harry Truman back in 1948 and use that as their mantra upon which to run for reelection.”
Fox News noted that in 1948, Republicans controlled Congress and blocked many of President Harry Truman’s Fair Deal bills. Truman (D) labeled the Republican-led House a “do-nothing Congress” and campaigned fiercely against GOP initiatives and Republican presidential nominee Thomas Dewey.
Truman went on to win the 1948 presidential election in a historic upset.
Many expect Biden to announce his bid to run in 2024 by or during his annual State of the Union address, scheduled for February.
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