SC’s Clyburn calls Project 2025 ‘Jim Crow 2.0,’ says Harris is ‘prepared for this moment’
In remarks that sought to honor a longtime friend, while also making a case for moving forward with a new Democratic Party standard bearer, South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn called a purported blue print for a second Donald Trump presidency “Jim Crow 2.0.”
Clyburn spoke on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, taking the stage before President Joe Biden addressed the crowd of party faithful in Chicago.
Biden opted to step aside from the presidential race after a poor debate performance in June against former President Donald Trump and polling showed he could not win a second term.
Monday’s session was meant to honor Biden, before the Democratic Party’s torch is metaphorically passed to Vice President Kamala Harris, who will accept the party’s presidential nomination Thursday night.
Clyburn used his remarks to remind convention goers and viewers of the pandemic that ravaged the world and the economy during the last year of Trump’s term in office.
“Donald Trump mismanaged the crisis from day one, looking out for himself instead of the country,” Clyburn said. “Thanks to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we reopened our schools, brought back our businesses, and restored our faith in the American can do spirit.”
Clyburn, who participated in the Civil Rights movement, went on to characterize the ultra conservative Project 2025, a supposed blueprint for a second Trump term, as a “Jim Crow 2.0.”
Trump has sought to distance himself from Project 2025, which has authors who worked in his administration.
Clyburn then went on to shower accolades on Biden’s administration.
Clyburn made references to price cuts in prescription drugs for seniors, such the cap on insulin to $35 a month for seniors on Medicare, the infrastructure bill and the PACT Act to benefit veterans, and the signing of the CHIPs and Science act during the Biden administration.
“(With) President Biden’s lifetime of achievement in service of his country, we owe him a great debt of gratitude,” Clyburn said in a five-minute speech that followed remarks by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Clyburn and Biden have been longtime allies. When Biden won the White House in 2020, he got off to a slow start in the nominating process.
Biden lost nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, Clyburn endorsed Biden before South Carolina’s primary, where more than 60% of the Democratic electorate is Black.
Biden won South Carolina, propelling him to the nomination and then the White House.
Clyburn pointed out Harris’ experience as a prosecutor, state attorney general, senator and vice president as to why she should be elected to the White House.
“Her experiences have prepared her for this moment,” said Clyburn, the lone Democrat in South Carolina’s federal delegation. “While Trump has been looking out for himself and his billionaire buddies. Kamala has been fighting to lower costs for all Americans.”
This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
