Clyburn plays S.C. kingmaker in quest for black vote

[maddezmom]

Clyburn plays S.C. kingmaker in quest for black vote
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff, 1/26/2004

SANTEE, S.C. -- If there was any doubt as to the importance of black voters in South Carolina's Feb. 3 Democratic presidential primary, witness the courtship of Representative James E. Clyburn.

Clyburn's first choice, House colleague Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, came in a disappointing fourth place in last Monday's Iowa caucuses. Gephardt had not even made his withdrawal official before Clyburn's cellphone started buzzing that night.

Before he went to bed, Clyburn had heard from Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, and retired Army General Wesley K. Clark of Arkansas. Former Vermont governor Howard Dean had a college roommate whom Clyburn had taught in high school call on his behalf, and Dean himself followed up two days later.

All the major Democratic presidential contenders have checked in several times since, with Edwards ringing just about daily. They have been calling for the same reason, even if they do not say it every time: They want Clyburn's endorsement.
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more:http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/01/26/clyburn_plays_sc_kingmaker_in_quest_for_black_vote/