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Article published Dec 11, 2003
Clyburn endorses Gephardt bid
JENNIFER
HOLLAND
Associated Press
COLUMBIA -- Democrat Dick Gephardt's
presidential campaign secured the endorsement of Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of the
most influential figures in the key primary state of South Carolina.The backing
of the six-term Democratic congressman, a leading member of the Congressional
Black Caucus, is critical in a state where almost half the voters in the Feb. 3
primary are expected to be minorities. Clyburn was courted by all nine of the
Democratic presidential candidates."I would not be honest with you if I didn't
tell you that Dick Gephardt was always number one in my heart," Clyburn said
Wednesday in a conference call with Gephardt. "I found nothing thus far in a
campaign to move him from that spot."Ending months of speculation, Clyburn
formally endorsed Gephardt, who said the congressman's support would boost his
candidacy "not only in South Carolina, which is obvious, but all across the
country."Clyburn is the 34th member of the House to endorse Gephardt, the former
House Democratic leader. The Missouri congressman has the most endorsements from
members of Congress, who can vote for any candidate at the convention and are
not bound to choose who is selected by voters in their state.Beginning this
weekend with a tour of South Carolina, Clyburn said he would devote as much time
as possible to Gephardt's campaign.``I'm not going out here to support Dick
Gephardt in the black community, I'm going out to support Dick Gephardt among
Democratic voters all over this state,'' Clyburn said.Several South Carolina
polls show no clear leader among likely primary voters.Former South Carolina
Gov. Jim Hodges dismissed the effect that a Clyburn endorsement may have on his
state's voters, comparing it to his own endorsement about a month ago of
presidential rival Wesley Clark.``I think both (Clyburn) and I recognize at the
end of the day, the strength of the horse we ride is what's most important,''
Hodges said in a conference call Wednesday on Clark's chances in the
South.Hodges, who lost his governorship to a Republican last year, also brushed
off the influence Clyburn's decision could have on minority voters.``There's
this feeling that African-American voters are monolithic and all vote the same
way in Democratic primaries, which is simply not true,'' Hodges said. ``They're
going to make their own decision about who they want to vote
for.''------
Associated Press Writers Nedra Pickler and Elizabeth
Wolfe in Washington contributed to this report.------
On the
Net:http://www.dickgephardt2004.com