Rep. James Clyburn says Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will begin appearing more frequently on Joe Biden’s campaign trail after the trio headlined a fundraising event in New York last week.
The South Carolina congressman and deputy Democratic leader said the three presidents will meet to “show defense of democracy” as Biden runs for re-election in 2024 against Donald Trump.
Outside the fundraiser with Biden, Obama and Clinton, pro-Palestinian protesters descended to object to the current administration’s stance on the war between Israel and Hamas.
They raised more than $25 million and some tickets cost up to $500,000.
Democratic Rep. James Clyburn said Sunday that former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will appear more on President Joe Biden’s campaign trail in his re-election bid against Donald Trump in 2024.
The trio of Democratic presidents appeared at Radio City Music’s call for a $25 million fundraiser, with some tickets costing up to $500,000. Clyburn said the appearance was a “show of unity and a show of defense of democracy.”
‘Congressman, do you expect to see these former presidents routinely campaigning? Will they be a common presence in the electoral campaign? NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Rep. Clyburn on Sunday.
“I think so, but not to show strength, but rather to show unity, unity of purpose, to show defense of democracy,” Clyburn said. “That’s what’s happening here.”
‘Three former presidents, all three have had their challenges. But each of them stood up for what is right in this country, which is to protect this democracy and put themselves below the needs, dreams and aspirations of the American people,” the legislator said.
Clyburn, a Biden surrogate in South Carolina, concluded: “So what we saw in New York last Thursday was a show of unity and a show of defense of democracy. And that is what we need in this country at this particular juncture.”
The New York fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall descended into chaos when Stephen Colbert interviewed the three Democratic presidents and they were interrupted by protesters.
A handful of pro-Palestinian protesters shouted at the presidents, and one woman told Biden “you have blood on your hands.”
Another rowdy guest warned of nuclear war with Russia, shouting: “They’re crazy.”
“As you know, what looms over that event, even for some protesters, is war in the Middle East,” Welker told Clyburn, noting that some lawmakers agree that Israel is committing “genocide” against the Palestinian people.
Clyburn spoke with NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on Sunday about the former presidents’ presence on the campaign trail.
‘Do you agree with Congresswoman (Alexandria) Ocasio-Cortez that what is happening is actually a genocide?’ she questioned.
‘Well, I haven’t analyzed it to that point. But I’ll tell you one thing: What’s happening is wrong,” Clyburn responded. And we have to correct it. And that’s what President Biden is trying to do, try to correct it.”
He insisted: “We are with the people of Israel.”
And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undermined that two-pronged solution since he has been in office. “He sold his soul to Israel’s right-wingers to maintain power,” Clyburn added.
