How Rep. James Clyburn, a South Carolina icon, helped Biden score his big comeback

Show Caption Hide Caption Biden wins South Carolina on support of black voters Former Vice President Joe Biden posted a resounding victory in the South Carolina primary, largely on the strength of his support among black voters.

WASHINGTON – Taking the stage after his landslide victory in South Carolina, Joe Biden hugged his longtime friend Rep. James Clyburn, who gave the former vice president a coveted endorsement three days before the state's primary.

"You brought me back," a beaming Biden told Clyburn, the House majority whip and highest-ranking African American in Congress, whom he addressed as "my buddy."

It was no exaggeration. Clyburn is a landmark figure in a state where roughly 60% of all Democratic voters are black.

Exit polls indicated that nearly half – 47% – of Democratic primary voters in South Carolina said Clyburn’s endorsement was an important factor in their vote. Moreover, 24% said it was the most important factor.

Clyburn told USA TODAY that the prospect of a second term for President Donald Trump made him "fearful" for the future.

SC's influential Rep. Clyburn endorses Biden U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking black member of Congress and the kingmaker of South Carolina's Democratic political orbit, has endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign. (Feb. 26)

“Everybody says a win is a win and, that’s true,’’ Clyburn said in the interview on the eve of the primary Friday. “But I would love to see a win substantial enough to create an image of a surge or good narratives coming out.’’

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“I think, especially people in North Carolina and Georgia, will be looking at those results,” he said.

Patrick Murray, director, Monmouth University Polling Institute, said the exit polling confirmed Clyburn's importance to Biden Saturday.

"I don’t think I can ever point to a time where (a quarter of voters) said that something that just happened was the most important factor," he said.

Biden probably would have won without the Clyburn's endorsement, Murray said, “but probably not as decisively and it’s the decisive win that’s the key here."

It was more than Clyburn's endorsement that made a difference. Also key was his advice privately given to Biden last week that he needed to shed his soft approach and lackluster campaign and fight harder for the nomination, Clyburn told the Washington Post.

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Biden said he understood: "He told me, ‘I got it,’ ” Clyburn told the newspaper.

Clyburn is already planning to stump for Biden in North Carolina, one of 14 states holding primaries on Super Tuesday three days from now.

Clyburn told USA TODAY he hoped his positions and influence in the key Southern state would help Biden revive his struggling presidential campaign.

“I need to protect my investment. I’m investing in this guy. I believe in him,’’ Clyburn said. “I don’t want anybody to think I’m just endorsing him and going to hide somewhere. I’ll go wherever he ask me to go, with him or without him.’’

He refused to stay silent

Clyburn's endorsement didn't surprise those who have followed his career. He and Biden have been close for years. Biden was chosen as vice president to Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president. And Biden is no stranger to visiting South Carolina.

“I didn’t see him supporting any of the others,’’ said Rickey Hill, a former chairman of the Political Science and History Department at South Carolina State University.

He said Clyburn, whom he called a “power broker,’’ could have endorsed Biden sooner and before Tuesday’s debate, but “you have to have a little theater, a little drama.”

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In his emotional announcement, Clyburn talked about his late wife, Emily, and her love for Biden. He also told of an elderly woman who asked who was backing. He said she wanted to hear from him and so did the community.

“I decided then and there that I would not stay silent,’’ he said later.

Biden and other presidential candidates had courted Clyburn and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Clyburn has long made it a practice not to endorse a candidate until close to the primary, if at all. He has said he wants candidates to court voters in his state, make their case and spend their money.

“I’ve known for a long time who I was going to vote for,’’ he said.

Clyburn used one of the state’s new voting machines in Orangeburg Friday to vote for Biden. He checked before he left to make sure there were no mistakes.

Nearly 30 miles away in Columbia, Biden was campaigning, even stopping by Clyburn’s barbershop, exhibiting some of the passion Clyburn had been pushing for.

Clyburn said he'd seen a "little bit more energy" in recent days at the polls.

'He's speaking to those folks'

Clyburn’s statue in the state as the first African American to serve in Congress since Reconstruction and his leadership in a mostly black district, make his endorsement significant.

“He’s speaking to those folks,’’ said Adolphus Belk, Jr., professor of political science and African American studies at Winthrop University. "He enjoys good standing with them so this is an endorsement that matters.”

Belk cited a recent Winthrop University poll that found one in five black voters in South Carolina had been undecided before the primary. And the gap between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had narrowed.

Political experts note that Biden called South Carolina his “firewall” and would have to seriously weigh whether to bail out of the race if doesn’t win the state.

Biden’s losses in earlier contests worried Clyburn. He feared people would favor the winners of those contests. He was banking on a change after South Carolina and said Friday he was hoping the team could "turn the tide."

Impact beyond South Carolina

Clyburn plans to take his support for Biden on the road, heading Sunday to North Carolina and possibly Virginia on Monday. Clyburn’s influence could potentially help Biden raise money, something he has struggled with.

"There are a lot of things that Rep. Clyburn brings to the table that the party could need if it’s going to meet its objective in these elections,” Belk said.

Clyburn also plans to join get-out-the-vote efforts in African-American communities, particularly in the South.

The former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus spent weeks during the 2018 midterms campaigning for Democratic candidates in competitive races. Many, including Andy Kim of New Jersey, won and helped Democrats regain control of the House.

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Clyburn plans to continue this year with a stop in California in mid-March.

“We’re looking for a (presidential) candidate that helps us win down ballot seats,’’ he said.