Nancy Pelosi and the CBC Come to Terms Over Jim Clyburn

The crisis between Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus has been averted. Last night after a meeting with Pelosi, the CBC announced the make busy job to be created for Jim Clyburn will be sufficient. Presumably, the CBC voted lockstep for Pelosi as Minority Leader today. She clobbered Heath Shuler 150-53.

Shuler is not doing a whole lot to avoid a dumb ex-jock reputation, is he?

I hate to be grossly cynical here, but Clyburn’s new job is to serve as liaison to the Democratic congressional campaign Committee and the Appropriations Committee. Neither of these positions gives him any real power. Certainly, he will have less than he did as Majority Whip. He will, at best, brief Pelosi on the activities of the committees. I am sure she will be on pins and needles anxiously awaiting those.

While I suspect the creation of a new leadership post for Chuck Shumer in the Senate eased any accusations Pelosi was patronizing Clyburn with a useless job, it still sounds quite useless. I am confident Clyburn pitifully appealed to the CBC not to screw up his only chance at power, no matter how p[iddling, and they acquiesced. Frankly, it would not be the first time he has settled for an empty title to satisfy his ego.