On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn assumes a new leadership post as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. It’s the third-ranking job in the party hierarchy. Only the House minority leader and whip will outrank Clyburn. Last week, the S.C. congressman sat down to talk about the challenges and issues facing him and his party. Here is a condensed version of that interview:

What is this job? What does it entail?

There are 203 Democrats. This caucus is the body that develops the agenda and thrashes out the issues that we are going to pursue. We meet weekly, every Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock. The chair of the caucus presides at all of those meetings and develops the agenda for those meetings.

This isn’t going to take away from your main job, representing the 6th District?

No, absolutely not. ... I come home every weekend. I’ve been doing that ever since I’ve been there. So I don’t think we’ll have any problems. In fact, I see this as enhancing my ability to serve this district. ... When you look at the way things are done in Washington, there are two things consideration is given to determine whether you have clout — seniority and leadership. And when you’re in a leadership position, it adds not only a significant amount of clout to what you say but to your actions.

What about lobbyist Jack Abramoff? A lot of people think a huge scandal is going to emerge in Congress.

I have said, and I’m going to say it again: If the Justice Department is allowed to pursue this investigation, Watergate will be a Sunday school picnic in comparison. This will be the biggest scandal since the Teapot Dome.

What about Iraq?

The war in Iraq is a tremendous drain on the American people ... We now know from three different sources that there were no weapons of mass destruction over there ... Yet, we went on and invaded Iraq ... It’s one thing to get bad intelligence. It’s another to get good intelligence and decide to ignore it.

Do you think President Bush lied?

I think there was a misrepresentation.

Is that an impeachable offense?

There now are some people who say there are grounds for impeachment. ... These are not Democrats saying that. ... These are independents who are now saying this.

What do you think?

Well, I’m not an expert ...

How do you get along with your South Carolina colleagues in Washington?

I get along very well with most members. (U.S. Rep.) Henry Brown (R-S.C.) and I get along famously. ... We work together very well.

What about (U.S. Sen.) Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)?

I get along well with Lindsey. ... I don’t have a relationship with (U.S. Sen.) Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

What do you think of Governor Mark Sanford?

Governor Sanford and I don’t see the world the same way. I often maintain that we are the sum total of our experiences. And I am who I am because of the experiences I’ve had. And I suspect he is who he is because of the experiences he has had. We’ve had totally different life experiences. So that’s why we see the world so differently.

What about the famous bridge (a controversial plan to build a span near Lone Star)?

It’s on track. ... This bridge will change the quality of life for the people in the six counties of this state almost overnight.

So, in your opinion, it will be built?

Yeah. Unless the courts stop me. And that’s the only thing that can stop me.

Reach Bandy at (803) 771-8648 or lbandy@thestate.com.