Rep. Jim Clyburn of Colorado has called on Democrats to support Biden as the Democratic convention approaches.
As of Saturday, the number of Democrats calling for Biden to step down and those voicing their support for the public was split down the middle, with 35 people saying either side.
“We’re not united in our support of the president, but we are united in our support,” Clyburn said. Said MSNBC Sunday morning.
“This process, this drama they’ve created may not be healthy, but healing is possible. But we have to stay focused and stay steadfast and we will win this race,” he added.
Clyburn has supported Biden since Biden’s poor performance and weak showing in the presidential debates raised national concerns about his ability to serve another term. After the debate, Clyburn advised Biden to “keep going” and told those calling for him to leave to “calm down.”
Clyburn, who helped Biden win over black voters in the 2020 Democratic election, joined other prominent black members of the Democratic caucus in supporting the president.
More than 1,400 Black women signed a letter in support of Biden on Thursday, saying a “house divided against itself fails.”
“I’ve never seen a successful November convention in the modern era. It hasn’t happened before and I don’t think it’s ever going to happen again,” Clyburn said, recalling the divisions at the 1972 and 1980 Democratic National Conventions.
Clyburn recently said he expected a “mini-primary” at the party convention would likely happen if Biden were to leave office. At the time, he supported being free to choose the nominee, but his recent comments suggest he wants to avoid a convention fight altogether.
“I think we should come together as one collective group and approach Chicago as one big celebration of love that we share with the American people,” Clyburn added.
“We’re not unanimous on everything, but we’re united. We’re a united party, and we’re united in supporting Joe Biden.”
