Clyburn Tries (again) To Diffuse Race Controversy

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) tried his best to diffuse a lingering controversy in the Democratic presidential contest over race by talking about...well, race.

Clyburn, the highest ranking African American in Congress, has aggressively reached out to the media this week to downplay a controversy the erupted late last week between the top two Democratic presidential candidates over the issue of race.

During a press briefing Tuesday, he reiterated his pledge to remain neutral in the presidential primary contest until South Carolina voters head to the polls.

Clyburn has repeatedly promised officials with the Democratic National Committee, as well as statehouse legislators in South Carolina, that he would not take a side in the nominating fight in order to protect the Palmetto State's early status in the nominating contest.

The most recent dust-up centered on remarks by New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, that some interpreted as diminishing the efforts of Civil Rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr.