Gephardt Wins an Ally in S. Carolina

Rep. Richard A. Gephardt picked up a key endorsement Wednesday from Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the leading African American politician in a state that will be the first to test the strength of Democratic presidential contenders in the South and among black voters.

Clyburn announced in a conference call that he would back his longtime House colleague, saying he chose Gephardt because the Missourian was a “solid thinker and a really compassionate guy ... [who] has always been No. 1 in my heart.”

The endorsement comes after months of overtures to Clyburn by most of the Democrats running for president. The six-term congressman’s backing was coveted because of his clout among black voters, who may account for as many as 50% of the ballots cast in South Carolina’s Feb. 3 primary. The state is one of the top prizes among seven states conducting Democratic primaries or caucuses that day.

Several of the Democratic candidates -- particularly Gephardt, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark -- view the South Carolina vote as crucial to their plans for winning the nomination. That strategy has become even more pronounced since polls have shown former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean leading in the states that start the nominating process in January -- Iowa and New Hampshire.

Gephardt called the Clyburn endorsement “pivotal” in his victory scenario -- finishing first in the Jan. 19 Iowa caucuses, placing in the “top tier” in New Hampshire’s Jan. 27 primary and then winning South Carolina and other states on Feb. 3.

Some analysts and competing campaigns said that the Clyburn endorsement, by itself, would not substantially boost Gephardt.

“It will certainly help Gephardt if he comes into the South Carolina primary still viewed as a major contender. Then it becomes a big asset,” said Hastings Wyman, editor of the nonpartisan Southern Political Report. “But if Dean has already beat Gephardt in Iowa and New Hampshire, then I think it’s going to be very difficult to turn the tide.”

Wyman also said Clyburn’s endorsement was overshadowed by former Vice President Al Gore’s announcement on Tuesday that he was supporting Dean.

“This feels a little late to me,” Wyman said.

Former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, a Clark supporter, brushed off Clyburn’s influence with minority voters.

“There’s this feeling that African American voters are monolithic and all vote the same way in Democratic primaries, which is simply not true,” Hodges said. “They’re going to make their own decision about who they want to vote for.”

Edwards has led in several polls in South Carolina, where he was born. And his supporters say a long list of local endorsements he has lined up would help Edwards prevail in a state he has pledged to win.

But the polls also have found that -- as in most states other than Iowa and New Hampshire -- many Democrats have yet to focus on the nomination battle.

The Gephardt camp said the timing of Clyburn’s support could not have been more welcome.

“I think the Clyburn endorsement, coming on the heels of the Gore endorsement of Dean, is very timely and very necessary for Dick,” said Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento), who is backing Gephardt. “He needs this little bounce.”

Clyburn said he planned to give “all the time I can muster” to help Gephardt. That work begins this weekend with a luncheon, labor fundraiser and three church visits.

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Times Staff Writer Nick Anderson and Associated Press contributed to this report.