Is the US ready for a Black woman president? Why a leading congressman isn't sure.

South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn said Tuesday that he is fully supportive of vice president Kamala Harris ' campaign for higher office and feels good about the party uniting around her, but only time will tell if America will vote for a Black female president.

“When has this country ever elected a woman? We thought we were ready for that in 2016 and we weren’t ready for that," he said, referring to Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful bid for the presidency.

Clyburn said he plans to hit the campaign trail for Harris, possibly as soon as this week, saying despite the excitement around her historic campaign, there’s still much work to do to help her win.

“The euphoria is just that," he said. “When all of that subsides the hard work of getting her message out there and help mobilize voters that’s a whole lot different than the rah-rah stuff that people seemed to be engaged in."

A strong president; a lackluster campaign

Clyburn, co-chair of president Joe Biden’s re-election campaign and a close ally, spoke with Biden Sunday before the president announced his plans to step down from his bid. He spoke with Harris soon after.

Without Biden in the race, as he said earlier he's all for Harris. “I’m no Johnny-come-lately to this.”

Clyburn, who is credited with helping ‘Biden win in 2020, said the Biden campaign had lacked enthusiasm and by stepping aside, he “put a jolt of enthusiasm into the campaign.”

“There’s a big difference running a campaign and running a presidency," Clyburn said. “He’s done a masterful job running the presidency. It’s just that he has not run a good campaign for re-election that shows any enthusiasm.”

Clyburn said he agreed with Biden’s decision to step down.

“He can’t run for the presidency if you’re not satisfied that you’re up to it and he didn’t think that he was up to running for this office at this particular juncture," Clyburn said.

From the bottom of the ticket to the top

At the Democratic National Convention, which starts August 19, Clyburn said he thinks Harris and others should highlight the administration's accomplishments and Biden's "great legacy."

“The Biden legacy, I think, will propel her to the presidency.”

Clyburn said he doesn’t think people gave Harris enough credit for what she brought to the post of vice president.

“For the last year, people have been extremely pleased with the way she’s conducted herself,’’ he said. “She’s growing into the vice presidency, and I think it foretells what we can expect as president."

On her possible VP pick

Clyburn noted that many on Harris' vice presidential shortlist are governors.

He called them all outstanding, but the South Carolinian noted that he’s "partial to the Carolinas." One of the potential candidates, Roy Cooper, is the Democratic governor of North Carolina.

Clyburn also said he knows Josh Shapiro, who is the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, well. “I think he will be an outstanding VP.”

“She’s got a good crop from which to choose,” he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is the US ready for a Black woman president? Why a leading congressman isn't sure.