U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman speaking with supporters of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley at the Country Lane Lodge in Adel, Iowa. (Photo credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr)
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), a decades-long statesman who has served in multiple Democratic Party leadership roles, had some choice words on MSNBC Thursday evening for one of his Republican colleagues who is trying to persuade state lawmakers to redraw House districts to eliminate his seat.
"I do have to ask you reallyquick before we have to go,Congressman," said anchor Alicia Menendez. "Just in the lasthour, there was this op-ed byRepresentative Ralph Norman,who, of course, is running forgovernor in your state, in avery crowded Republican field: 'Trump should lean on South Carolina to eliminate Jim Clyburn's district.' What wouldyou like to say toRepresentative Norman?"
"Well, you know, I understand thatRalph Norman's father left himsome a little bit of wealth," said Clyburn. "Iwish he had left him a littlebit of gray matter."
"I thinkthat Ralph is always lookingfor attention," Clyburn continued. "The fact of thematter is, South Carolina hasseven congresspeople, and onlyone of them is a Democrat. TheDemocrats carry about 45 percent ofthe vote in every election here.So why is it that Democrats arenot fairly represented in ourcongressional delegation? Weare about 28 percent African Americanin South Carolina. Yet with one out of seven, it means that weonly 14 percent of the representation."
Clyburn then doubled back to lay into Norman some more.
"RalphNorman did not have thecapacity to exist with fairness," Clyburn added. "He wants the whole game to berigged in his favor, and thatway he feels he can besuccessful. If he were so sureof himself, why not havefairness in the process? Hewants the president to lean onthe South Carolina legislatureto take fairness to theprocess and rig it in favor ofhis candidacy for governor.Ain't gonna happen."