Staff Reports
Rep. James Clyburn, one of President Biden’s most prominent cheerleaders, was supposed to grace CBS News’ “Face the Nation” with his presence this Sunday morning. The timing couldn’t have been more critical. The show intended to pepper him with tough questions about Biden’s competence and viability as a 2024 candidate. Apparently, Clyburn decided it was better to avoid the incoming fire entirely. His abrupt cancellation was announced late Friday night, raising more than a few eyebrows.
Face the Nation’s team tried to keep their optimism intact, expressing hopes of getting Clyburn on the show soon. One can’t help but suspect that he needs more time to polish the Biden administration’s ever-changing narrative. How else to explain the eleventh-hour dodging of a high-profile interview? It’s almost comical how frequently these defenders of Biden need a hasty retreat when questions start boiling.
Biden campaign co-chair Jim Clyburn claims Biden's humiliating debate performance was just "a classic example of preparation overload" pic.twitter.com/MOa5idjjSE
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 30, 2024
Rep. Clyburn’s no-show robbed viewers of potentially enlightening dialogue. It’s plausible he was ducking some embarrassing queries—like why Biden’s handlers keep acting like everything’s just peachy when even Stevie Wonder could see the president is far from well. For a man of Clyburn’s influence, his silence is suspiciously golden. Remember, Biden can thank Clyburn for saving his floundering 2020 campaign during the South Carolina primary. The loyalty is clear, but at what cost?
Clyburn’s recent CNN appearance was a masterclass in dodging accountability. He chalked up Biden’s disastrous debate performance to “preparation overload” and trotted out the tired old trope of Biden’s stutter. Meanwhile, whispers of Biden’s nap-time prep routine are making rounds. If this is the level of spin we get from Biden’s “top ally,” it’s no wonder he’s avoiding the hot seat on “Face the Nation.”
As a small but growing list of Democrats call on President Biden to step aside from the 2024 race, we’ll hear SUNDAY from one of the president’s top allies, Rep. @ClyburnSC06, about whether the president should stay the course– and what happens if he doesn’t. Tune in, 10:30amET. pic.twitter.com/zpUkqDw8MR
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) July 5, 2024
In another display of loyal flip-flopping, Clyburn assured MSNBC viewers that he’s sticking by Biden. But, ever the political animal, he also pledged support for Vice President Kamala Harris should Biden bow out. The Democrat party, he opined, must do everything to bolster Harris, regardless of where she’s placed. Bold words, but actions speak louder. And for now, it seems those actions are all about dodging rather than addressing Biden’s glaring issues head-on.
