Congressman Clyburn, I say this to you, sir. In the face of a truly defining moment in history, there is no shame in tears.
Tracey de Morsella <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Clyburn feared being overcome by emotion with Obama speaking By T&D StaffThursday, June 05, 2008 <http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/doc484732881cc0e76 8356185.txt#tdcomments> Leave a Comment | Default <http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/doc484732881cc0e76 8356185.txt> | Large <http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/doc484732881cc0e76 8356185.txt> COLUMBIA - House Majority Whip James Clyburn so feared being overcome with emotion that he left an event and went home to savor Sen. Barack Obama <http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/01/23/vgallery/doc4796c3299884b509875 113.txt> 's victory speech Tuesday night, the congressman said Wednesday. In answer to a question by S.C. ETV's Mark Quinn about what it felt like for him to watch the presumptive Democratic nominee take the stage in Minnesota to deliver his speech, Clyburn, long associated with the civil rights movement and the highest ranking African-American in Congress, made the admission. "Well, to tell you the truth, I was anticipating an emotion which I did not want to share in public. I was at an event where we were all watching the returns and when we got to the point that they said that Sen. Obama will be making that speech in a few minutes, I went home and sat alone to watch it. Because what I was feeling was indescribable and I was afraid that I would not be able to control my emotions . but I was able to do so," Clyburn said. "Sitting alone I felt that the 60-year journey was coming to fruition . it was in 1948, when the senator from South Carolina, Strom Thurmond, walked out of the Democratic Party over the issue of integration - integrating the armed forces. That's why he launched his states' rights campaign for president back in 1948. Here we are, 2008, 60 years later, and that same party has given its nomination for president to an African-American." The entire interview can be heard on South Carolina ETV's "The Big Picture on the Radio" program Friday at 9 a.m. Later in the interview, Clyburn was asked what he thought about a potential Obama/Hillary Clinton ticket: "I think that what we will have to do is say to Sens. Obama and Clinton, 'Please, retire somewhere alone. You guys decide whether or not you can in fact offer yourselves up to the public in that way. Is the trust there? Are the loyalties there? Is the chemistry there? If Obama does not trust Clinton, if Clinton is not loyal to Obama, if the voting public can't see the chemistry that needs to be there, then it should not happen . Can (an Obama/Clinton ticket) work? Yes, it can. Will it work? I don't know.'" Meanwhile, Clyburn offered details on his decision as a superdelegate to back Obama. In a Tuesday statement, he said: "Today the primary process draws to a close. From the beginning, I have made it clear that I would put the Democratic Party's best interest first and remain publicly neutral as this process ran its course, but it is now time to make my preference known. Today I am pledging my delegate vote to Sen. Barack Obama <http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/01/23/vgallery/doc4796c3299884b509875 113.txt> for president of the United States. "I believe the nomination of Sen. Obama is our party's best chance for victory in November, and our nation's best hope for much-needed change. Sen. Obama brings a new vision for our future and new voters to our cause. He has created levels of energy and excitement that I have not witnessed since the 1960s. "Recent surveys indicate that Sen. Obama is by far the most preferred presidential candidate among Democrats and independents, and I believe he is the most electable candidate that Democrats can offer. He will be able to dramatically change the electoral map for Democrats, which will in turn expands our majorities here in Congress, and help elect more Democrats at the state and local levels. Furthermore, I believe that Sen. Obama is the Democrat who can unite our people, help heal our nation's wounds, improve our standing on the world stage and steer our country in a new direction. "What is especially exciting about Sen. Obama's candidacy is its attraction to young and independent voters. Our party cannot hope to continue our recent successes if we don't continue to attract new voters. Sen. Obama has demonstrated the ability to draw a new map for Democrats by putting traditionally red states like Colorado, Virginia and North Carolina, and swing states like New Mexico, Missouri and Iowa in play. "A recent Zogby poll has Sen. Obama leading Sen. McCain in every age demographic except for those over 65. That speaks volumes about which candidate represents our nation's future, and which represents our past. I admit I am over 65, but my support of Sen. Obama is a vote for our children's and grandchildren's futures. "This is a pivotal time for our party, our nation and the world. This past weekend the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee made a decision to act in the interest of party unity, and now we must come together. Our party's success going forward will depend in large measure upon how we treat each other between now and our national convention, how we appear to the nation during our national convention, and how we conduct the campaign after our national convention. "Our vice presidential nominee will be introduced to the nation on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, the historic petition to the nation for gender, ethnic and workplace equality. Our presidential nominee will accept our party's nomination on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic call for a nation where we are all judged by 'the content of our character rather than the color of our skin.' Over the next several weeks, our party will have an historic opportunity to transcend these issues that have plagued our nation since its founding and our party for generations. "All of us have roles to play in helping to unify this party and unite in support of our nominee. But united does not mean unanimous, united means recognizing and respecting some realities. And it is a reality that delegates determine the winner. No matter the outcome tonight, Sen. Obama will lead in the delegate count and should be named the nominee. Any other outcome would require unpledged delegates, who have the power and authority to do so, to reverse the results of those who played by the established rules and worked hard in the primaries and caucuses. This would be unwarranted and could make the nomination worthless. "I believe the time has come for all unpledged delegates to make their choices known, and I believe our best choice against a George Bush third term is Sen. Barack Obama <http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/01/23/vgallery/doc4796c3299884b509875 113.txt> ." Click <http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/06/04/vgallery/doc4846eb64245e2502785 422.txt> here to view video of Clyburn's endorsement of Obama on "The Today Show". [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A Man Without A Country" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
