In a significant development, powerful Democrat Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) has called on his party to hold a “mini primary” in order to select a vice presidential running mate to join Kamala Harris on the 2024 ticket.
Clyburn is urging the Democratic Party to begin making preparations for the likely scenario that President Joe Biden will be replaced by Harris.
The strategy pushed by Clyburn, one of the highest-ranking Democrats in the House and a long-time ally of Biden, involves leveraging 700 uncommitted delegates to ensure a “fair and inclusive” selection process at the Democratic National Convention.
Clyburn revealed his support for a “mini primary” on CNN’s “Newsroom.”
This process aims to facilitate fair competition among potential candidates to determine the best-suited vice-presidential candidate for Kamala Harris, the lead contender to succeed Biden.
The idea, according to Clyburn, promotes democratic engagement and ensures that all potential candidates have an “equitable” chance to demonstrate their suitability for the vice presidency.
It is envisaged as a single-round voting process utilizing existing delegates.
Clyburn discussed the mechanics of the proposed mini-primary, emphasizing the flexible use of the 700 uncommitted delegates.
He explained, “There will definitely be other candidates.
“My understanding is they’re 700 uncommitted delegates and of course, their delegates who declared.”
By initiating a contest among these delegates, Clyburn believes the process would fairly evaluate the strengths of various vice-presidential hopefuls.
This proposal is aimed at maintaining the democratic integrity of the party’s nomination process.
Clyburn expresses confidence in Kamala Harris’s capabilities, advocating that her participation in such a rigorous selection process would demonstrate her commendable leadership qualities.
“I think Kamala Harris would acquit herself very well in that kind of a process but then it would be fair to everybody,” he noted.
This process is seen as a way to ensure that the Democratic ticket is not only led by a strong candidate but is also supported by a vice-presidential candidate who complements the nominee and strengthens the party’s overall electoral prospects.
The introduction of a mini-primary could potentially transform the traditional nomination process by fostering more competitiveness and transparency within the Democratic Party.
This innovative approach could lead to more dynamic electoral strategies and a more engaged party base.
Clyburn also mentioned the importance of hearing from governors and other high-profile Democrats, suggesting a broader consultation process within the party:
“So there are all the other governors who may be interested and there’s some that I would be interested hearing from as well because if she were to be the nominee, we need to have a strong running mate.”
Clyburn’s support for a mini primary at the Democratic National Convention signifies a strategic shift aimed at strengthening the Democrat ticket and enhancing the selection process for the vice-presidential candidate.
This initiative could redefine future conventions, making them more inclusive and reflective of the democratic values of the party.
However, the Democrat elite will undoubtedly select an establishment figure to run on the ticket.
Hillary Clinton or Gavin Newsom were most likely selected for the role months ago.
READ MORE – Ex-Clinton Advisor: ‘Dead Joe Biden’ Is Better Than Kamala Harris
