Former Democratic candidate Joe Biden observes as House Majority Whip James Clyburn declares his endorsement for Biden on Feb. 26, 2020, in North Charleston, S.C. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images file)
May 16, 2024 Story by: Editor
Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) is gearing up for a tour of crucial swing states later this year, aiming to strengthen President Biden’s backing among Black voters, as disclosed by his office.
The South Carolina Democrat plans to journey to Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio in the coming months to highlight Biden’s accomplishments, as confirmed by Clyburn’s office to The Hill.
PunchBowl News broke the story on Clyburn’s swing-state itinerary.
This initiative arises amidst recent polls indicating a decline in support for Biden among young, Black, and Hispanic voters – demographics pivotal to his electoral coalition.
Despite these trends, Clyburn, who stepped down from House Democratic leadership earlier this year, shrugged off the polling in an interview with PunchBowl News. “I don’t know what this polling is all about,” Clyburn stated. “Joe Biden does not have a problem with Black voters. Whatever you hear to the contrary, that’s just not true.” Source: Yahoo News
One recent poll from the New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer revealed a decrease in Biden’s support among Black voters, with 63 percent favoring him compared to 87 percent in 2020.
Additionally, the same poll shows Trump leading in five out of six swing states, with only Wisconsin leaning toward Biden.
Last week, Clyburn engaged with Black churches and local Democratic events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, emphasizing the stakes of the upcoming election, according to PunchBowl.
“I want young people to look at this year’s campaign and be selfish about their vote,” Clyburn reportedly emphasized.
He has also stressed the significance of voting at historically Black universities, recently introducing Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at South Carolina University’s commencement.
Throughout, Clyburn has remained a staunch advocate for Biden, consistently downplaying any decline in support among Black voters.
Reflecting on Biden’s standing earlier this year, Clyburn referenced Biden’s overwhelming victory in the South Carolina primary as evidence of enduring support.
“I think the answer is emphatic yes,” Clyburn asserted on CNN’s “State of the Union,” citing Biden’s strong performance in Orangeburg, where he secured over 97 percent of the vote, bolstered by two HBCUs and a community college.
