Clyburn says Democrats need ‘lovefest’ at convention

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) knows Democrats have been divided over President Joe Biden's withdrawal and Vice President Kamala Harris's rapid ascension to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket.

His solution? Democrats need to " have a lovefest " at the Democratic National Convention to solve their unity problems.

Democrats "need to go into Chicago together. Go there, have a lovefest, hold ourselves out to the American people as someone who knows how to get along with each other," Clyburn said.

Clyburn told Axios that a party doesn't win when it looks like it's in "disarray." The South Carolina representative, a prominent Democratic leader in the House and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, thinks a divided party is a losing dynamic.

"A big argument on the [convention] floor, do that for four days ... and then go out to the American people and say, 'I'm ready to bring the country together, though I couldn't get together at my convention," Clyburn said.

Democrats were extremely divided right before Biden's departure as many had mixed feelings on whether the president should stay at the head of the ticket with poor polling and age-related concerns dragging him down. Clyburn himself made it clear he was "ridin' with Biden" but threw his support behind Harris soon after the president announced he would no longer seek reelection.

It appears Harris's candidacy is helping to unite the party, as many lawmakers have come out in support of the vice president in quick succession. There are some holdouts still, though. Some House Democrats have declined to support Harris, and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), who is facing a reelection battle, has yet to endorse her.

Clyburn could be hoping his words are taken as a rallying cry to party members who have yet to endorse Harris, as the Democratic Party largely united behind Biden in 2020.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Democrats will likely virtually nominate Harris and her running mate, who is unknown at the moment, by Aug. 7.

The Democratic National Convention will begin on Aug. 19, about a month after the Republican National Convention ended.