A situation that might have turned into a divisive fight within the ranks of Democratic leaders has been diffused. The pot of the competition was the Democrats’ number 2 chair in the US House of Representatives.
According to Nancy Pelosi, who is the House Speaker, James Clyburn will be nominated at Wednesday’s Democratic leadership elections as the third Democrat in the House of Representatives, while he said that he would aim for being the party’s number 2, which is currently held by moderate Steny Hoyer.
Pelosi hinted that a deal was made to avoid turmoil in Wednesday’s election, as the competition between Hoyer and Clyburn had the potential leave hard feelings behind.
James Clyburn, the highest ranking African-American in the Congress, gathered support from the Congressional Black Caucus. Steny Hoyer, on the other hand, harnessed support from senior committee members in the party as well as the moderate wing.
After last week’s elections, the Democrats will be a minority in the Congress. Given the loss of position, the party cannot afford to be torn by inside squabbles when the new Congress convenes in January.
