House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn called on the Democrat National Committee (DNC) to shut down any further primaries or debates before something is said that Joe Biden “cannot overcome.”
Clyburn, whose endorsement of Biden prior to the South Carolina primary is widely seen as a turning point in the former vice president’s campaign, is suggesting the frontrunner needs protection either from his opponent’s attacks or from his well-known and frequent gaffes.
Shut It Down
Speaking with NPR in the midst of Tuesday’s primary results rolling in, Clyburn (D-SC) surmised Biden’s victory should lead to Bernie Sanders being stopped cold.
“I think when the night is over, Joe Biden will be the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic nomination, and quite frankly, if the night ends the way it has begun, I think it is time for us to shut this primary down,” he said.
“It is time for us to cancel the rest of these debates — because you don’t do anything but get yourself in trouble if you continue in this contest when it’s obvious that the numbers will not shake out for you.”
Yikes. They want to rush and end the primary to reduce the chances that Biden “gets himself into trouble” (quoting Clyburn). Y’all understand that carrying Biden over the finish line won’t be an option in the general right? He’ll have to do 1-on-1 debates w Trump https://t.co/a8ku3guUFZ
— Bree Newsome Bass (@BreeNewsome) March 11, 2020
RELATED: James Clyburn Warns Having ‘Socialist’ Bernie at Top of Ticket Could Cost Democrats the House
Cannot Overcome
James Clyburn has been very outspoken about the damage that would be done to the Democrat party if Sanders were to be the nominee, going so far as to suggest they could lose control of the House if such an extreme socialist sat at the top of the ticket.
But is it really about forcing Sanders to go away or more about dragging Joe Biden across the finish line?
Aside from predicting Biden or the party might “get yourself into trouble,” Clyburn stated that a prolonged affair between him and Sanders could lead to problems for the frontrunner.
“People will say things that you cannot overcome,” he warned.
Detroit auto worker: “You are actively trying to diminish our Second Amendment right and take away our guns.”
Joe Biden: “You’re full of shit.”
Biden staffer: “Alright, thank you guys–”
Biden: “No, shush! Shush!”pic.twitter.com/j1fIE5c0HN
— Matt Wolking (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@MattWolking) March 10, 2020
RELATED: Biden Says Michigan Voter Is ‘Full Of S***’ During Tense Argument On Gun Control
Trump Will Eat Him Alive
While Biden has easily overcome his many missteps as a Democrat candidate, Clyburn and the party aren’t going to be able to protect him against President Trump in future general election debates.
Trump will, as Sanders has suggested, “eat his lunch.”
There is little doubt Trump will have a field day with the volumes upon volumes of verbal gaffes and epic mistakes Biden has made over the years, not to mention those he has made in this campaign alone.
Imagine Trump eviscerating ‘Sleepy Joe’ for telling blue-collar voters that they’re “full of s***,” or “fat,” or a “lying, dog-faced pony soldier.”
You won’t be able to protect him then, Mr. Clyburn. Just as your party was unable to drag Hillary across the finish line, so too shall this fail.