Rep. Clyburn "Sympathetic" To Obama's Task

Political Players is a weekly conversation with the leaders, consultants, and activists who shape American politics. This week, CBS News' Brian Goldsmith talked with James Clyburn, the House Majority Whip and African-American elder statesman of South Carolina politics, about race, experience, and this Saturday's Democratic presidential primary.

James Clyburn: I didn't say he should tone down. I said he should chill a little and that was mostly misunderstood. I got a lot of calls from constituents saying they were bothered by his tone. The fairy tale comment really offended a lot of people. He says he was just referring to Obama's position on the war. Obama's supporters have a different view. Hopefully we've all moved on. But I haven't seen this much excitement in the community since the 1960's.

CBSNews.com: President Clinton said Senator Obama's opposition to the war hasn't been consistent. He's said Obama praised Reagan and the Republicans to a Nevada newspaper. Is it the substance of what he said that raised concerns, or the way he said it?

James Clyburn: Well I just think it's important that he be careful about the tone of what he says. I'm not going to go back and look at one particular statement or another. I am sympathetic to the idea that it's hard to campaign against two people, especially when one is a former president and has that credibility.

CBSNews.com: Were you bothered at all about Senator Obama's statements saying, in effect, President Reagan had been a more important president than President Clinton--and that the GOP was the party of ideas for the last 10 or 15 years?

James Clyburn: Well I think he explained what he meant in the debate [earlier this week]. He didn't say the Republicans had better ideas. What he said was their ideas were important from a historical perspective. Time magazine picks a man of the year not because that person happens to be good or bad but whether he's important, and had a powerful effect on the world. There have been Time men of the year I disagree with. But I can say without agreeing with them that these men were important.

CBSNews.com: You also took issue with Senator Clinton's comments about President Johnson and Dr. King. What was wrong with the statement that it took a president as well as Dr. King to acheive progress on civil rights?

James Clyburn: I didn't say there was anything wrong with the statement. I said that all of us should be careful about what we say about that particular historical period because again a number of people--people I rely on to keep me up on what people are saying and thinking--called me to say that it seemed like she was saying President Johnson, a white male, was needed for Dr. King, a black male, to move on civil rights. Almost like it took a white person to get the job done. Which is not what she says she meant. So I was just saying it's important that we be careful about that history.

CBSNews.com: Who has done more for your constituents in South Carolina, Senator Clinton or Senator Obama?

James Clyburn: Well, she is senator from New York. He is senator from Illinois. I think I have done a lot more for my constituents than either of them.

CBSNews.com: So you disagree with her experience argument?

James Clyburn: They both have great experience. For my constituents, nobody has done more for them than I have, not a senator from New York or Illinois.

CBSNews.com: What was your opinion of the debate this week?

James Clyburn: I think it was a good debate. The tone was fine. Some poeple have complained about it--they've said it was bickering. It was a spiritied debate between two competitors for the presidency. I think it was the right tone for a good, tough contest between these candidates.

By Brian Goldsmith