Patronizing Jim Clyburn Costs Nancy Pelosi CBC Support

I wrote a few days ago how Nancy Pelosi was patronizing blacks in that typical way Democrats take the black vote for granted by appointing Jim Clyburn to a do-nothing job. The Congressional Black Caucus knows they are being insulted and have withheld support for her to become Minority Leader.

This is a brilliant flex of muscle to prove to Democrats in general and Congressional Democrats specifically how they cannot simply jerk around the black vote. Pelosi’s actions truly are an insult. While I confess I do not think much of Clyburn as a politician, he was previously Majority Whip. The position gave him real power and influence. Now Pelosi wants to give him a meaningless title and hope neither he nor his supporters realize he has been relegated to the kiddie table.

Pelosi is not likely to become Minority Leader without CBC support. I am not aware if the Cbc has visions of running someone from their group for the role, holding out for another candidate, or are attempting to wrangle a better deal for Clyburn, but no matter what, it is a delicate situation. One I must confess amuses me. If nothing else, the situation is a mess of Pelosi’s own creation. Therefore, it is further proof of her ineptness as a leader. Assuming you needed more.

If Heath Shuler believes he can ride his football fame into the Minority Leader position, then he is just about as clueless as Pelosi. But as we have noted, being clueless is not a particular detriment in seeling power among Democrats.