Dem Black Vs Dem White: Clyburn And Hoyer Go To War For Power
Nov 9, 2010 Comments Off Pat Dollard
Rep. James Clyburn said Rep. Steny Hoyer’s tactics are breaking with tradition and making Democrats uncomfortable.
The comments are the first hint of bitterness between Clyburn (S.C.) and Hoyer (Md.) as the two Democratic heavyweights vie for the minority whip spot in the next Congress. The contest was initiated after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said last week she wants to keep her position as party leader despite the Democrats’ trouncing in the midterm elections.
Clyburn, currently the majority whip, said Hoyer’s strategy of releasing the names of his supporters is threatening a process that’s historically “about respecting and honoring” fellow Democrats.
“This is not about playing the numbers game,” Clyburn told The Hill when asked about his whip count. “This is about respecting and honoring the members of our caucus in such a way that they will be comfortable with the process.
“I don’t see how you maintain a comfort level for all of our members by rolling out these names. I don’t think it does the process any real good. I’ve never done it, I’m not going to do it.”
Hoyer spokeswoman Katie Grant dismissed the possibility of an emerging rift between the two Democrats, saying Hoyer “has the greatest respect for Mr. Clyburn and is hopeful that they will both remain at the leadership table.”
Since Pelosi’s Friday announcement, Hoyer’s office has been aggressive in releasing the names of those members lining up behind the 71-year-old Maryland Democrat, currently the majority leader.
By contrast, Clyburn’s office has chosen not to announce endorsements before they become public, though his aides have highlighted the public support of about a dozen members after the fact.
An informal whip count has Hoyer supporters outnumbering Clyburn backers by about four-to-one.
Clyburn noted Tuesday that he’s hardly new to leadership contests, having been elected vice-chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in 2003. But he also pointed to that contest — and others since then — to criticize Hoyer’s tactics as a break with tradition.
“I’ve done this all of my life and I’m now 70 years old, [and] I decided not to play the numbers game,” Clyburn said of his 2003 race. “I remember seeing all these numbers about who has what support. I was in a three-person race and I won without a runoff and I didn’t issue one list. When [Rep.] John Larson [D-Conn.] ran for the chair of our caucus, he did not issue one name. He won.”
Clyburn also indicated that he met with both Pelosi and Hoyer on Monday, but wouldn’t provide details of those discussions.
“I never talk out of school,” he said.
