Democratic 2020 candidates descend on South Carolina for Clyburn's "World Famous Fish Fry"

[left-of-center2012]

The South Carolina Democratic primary is more than 250 days away, but that won't stop at least 22 presidential hopefuls from packing into the Palmetto State this weekend.

Democratic White House contenders will descend on Columbia Friday and Saturday for Rep. James Clyburn's "World Famous Fish Fry" and for the state Democratic Party convention — the first time since the start of the 2020 campaign cycle that so many candidates are gathered at the same time.

The state's "First in the South" primary on Feb. 29, 2020, is critical for Democratic presidential candidates, in large part due to the diversity of the state's electorate. As with the larger Democratic primary, winning depends in large part on support from the African American community.

The festivities begin Friday with as many as 1,300 people attending the Blue Palmetto Dinner featuring speeches from multiple presidential candidates ...

Clyburn is considered by many to be the most influential Democrat in the state, and his endorsement is among the most coveted in the primary process. The 14-term lawmaker is the highest ranking African American and the third highest ranking Democrat in Congress. While he is staying neutral for now, candidates will be reveling in face time with him this weekend.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-2020-candidates-descend-on-south-carolina-for-clyburns-world-famous-fish-fry/

[customerserviceguy]

1. I wonder

how Cory Booker is going to finesse this? Adluh breaded tofu?

[tishaLA]

2. First thing I thought, too

No fish, no mac and cheese, no banana pudding, probably no collards because of seasoning meat....

[customerserviceguy]

3. Hmm

you may very well have hit on why Booker has failed to catch on so far in South Carolina.

[Blue_true]

4. Events like these normally have alternative dish choices.

Their are going to be people there from cultures that don't eat meat or cow based products. The guess here is Booker will be ok if he is not a vegan that lectures those around him about their food choices.

[Gothmog]

5. James Clyburn is siding with Joe Biden on dispute with Booker

This is very nice to see https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/20/why-joe-biden-is-so-defensive-over-his-remarks-about-segregationists/?utm_term=.ab8bb7949ad8

Biden has powerful Democratic backers on this: The highest-ranking African American member of Congress, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), told reporters Wednesday he understands where Biden is coming from and that he, too, worked with people such as Strom Thurmond. Other black Democrats in Congress tried to frame Biden’s words in charitable ways.

“I think the sentiment is something that we all know in the legislative body — that you work with people you don’t agree with,” Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-La.), a co-chairman of Biden’s campaign, said.

The Clyburn comment in particular is helpful to Biden. If there’s one friend in Congress you want to make as a Democratic presidential candidate, it’s probably Clyburn. He rules South Carolina Democratic politics, and South Carolina is the first early voting state with a majority black Democratic primary voters. Biden and his opponents will be campaigning in South Carolina this weekend at Clyburn’s famous fish fry.