Rep. James Clyburn (SC) believed to be deciding between Gephardt & Dean

[pruner]

Dean looking for backing from kingmaker Clyburn

By Deborah McGregor
Published: December 8 2003 4:00 | Last Updated: December 8 2003 4:00

When Howard Dean said recently he wanted support for his presidential bid from white southerners with Confederate flags displayed on their pick-up trucks, no one winced harder than James Clyburn.
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He had advised Mr Dean, the former Vermont governor, who - like several other Democratic contenders is seeking his much-coveted endorsement - to leave the Confederate flag out of any politicking in the South. The potent racial symbol and reminder of an era of white supremacy was best avoided in a state where at least 40 per cent of the electorate is black, Mr Clyburn had warned.
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Despite the gaffe, Mr Dean remains high on Mr Clyburn's short list of Democratic candidates tough enough to go up against George W. Bush.
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Mr Clyburn has yet to decide whom he will endorse, but he says that he has narrowed it down to two people and will make his announcement before Christmas. The smart money is betting those two are Mr Dean and Richard Gephardt, the Missouri congressman who is close to Mr Clyburn after many years of serving in the House of Representatives with him.
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