Rep. Jim Clyburn is the ultimate political insider. Is that a good thing for SC?

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn has long said that one of his heroes is Harry Truman, the blunt-spoken former president who wasn’t afraid to take a “give ‘em hell” approach toward his political adversaries when necessary — but who was equally quick to speak up for regular folks.

And there’s no doubt that Clyburn, a Democrat who has represented South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District since 1993 and is now serving his second stint as House majority whip, remains true to Truman’s spirit.

No, Clyburn doesn’t need much prompting to offer tart-tongued partisan takes on Republican policies and politicians — most notably President Donald Trump, whom Clyburn openly views with contempt.

“This country has tolerated a lot of things, and it has survived,” Clyburn told The State Editorial Board. “I think this country is going to survive this guy.”

But Clyburn has also shown a genuine willingness to move beyond partisanship to constructively tackle the issues that affect average South Carolinians.

That’s been evident in Clyburn’s work to address the glaring need for greater broadband access in South Carolina — a problem that’s particularly acute in the state’s Republican-leaning rural communities.

And it’’s been evident in Clyburn’s work to address the struggles that many low-income and working-class South Carolinians face because they lack consistent access to health care.

It is a style that has allowed Clyburn to be an effective voice for the 6th Congressional District, which includes Richland County but also stretches across several eastern and central counties.

And it’s why Clyburn should be re-elected on Nov. 3.

Powerful role

Clyburn’s unquestioned passion for making sure South Carolina has a seat at the table in Congress — combined with his powerful role as the House majority whip — will be especially critical in the year ahead as our state and country continue a painstaking recovery from the pandemic.

Clyburn said that if he’s re-elected, one of his top priorities will be to ensure that more money in future coronavirus relief bills is directly invested in the communities that are still reeling from COVID-19’s effects.

In fact, Clyburn noted, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has already pledged that a Biden administration will embrace Clyburn’s recommended “10-20-30” funding formula.

It is a plan that calls for 10% of appropriated money to be invested in the nearly 500 counties across America where at least 20% of the population has been living below the poverty line for a minimum of 30 years.

“That’s going to be a priority,” Clyburn told The State Editorial Board.

“That’s the way we’re going to get economic activity going.”

In short, Clyburn, 80, is a political insider who hasn’t lost the ability to see things from the vantage point of those who are far removed from the corridors of power.

And now more than ever Clyburn’s presence is needed in D.C.’s corridors of power.

An intriguing opponent

Clyburn’s major opponent is Republican John McCollum, a Navy veteran who lives in Charleston and is making his first run for elective office.

McCollum, 35, told The State Editorial Board that while Clyburn deserves respect for his long tenure, the Democrat has lost touch with the constituents of the 6th Congressional District.

“He’s almost a victim of his own great success,” McCollum said of Clyburn.

“He has to carry the whip for the Democratic Party,” McCollum said, “and I don’t think even he agrees with a lot of the stuff that has been coming out of the halls of Congress on his side of the aisle.”

McCollum, who works for a tech company and spent time as a staffer for former South Carolina Congressman Mark Sanford, describes himself as a fiscal conservative.

The challenger said that if he’s elected to Congress, he would focus on attacking America’s ballooning national debt.

“I think our debt is our greatest threat,” McCollum said.

The Republican is an intriguing and thoughtful candidate who has made a worthwhile contribution to the 6th Congressional District race.

But Clyburn is the best choice for voters on Nov. 3.

This story was originally published October 22, 2020 at 9:30 AM with the headline "Rep. Jim Clyburn is the ultimate political insider. Is that a good thing for SC?."