MSNBC "Hardball with Chris Matthews" - Transcript: On Hillary Clinton and the 2016 Presidential Election
Interview
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Matthews: ...And joining me now is the assistant Democratic leader of the House,
U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn. He was in one of those meetings with Hillary
Clinton today.
Congressman Clyburn, with all due respect, I have got to pop you with
the toughest question. Did she follow the rule that you know all about?
Did she ask for your, Jim Clyburn`s vote or support for president of the
United States? Did she ask you?
REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D), SOUTH CAROLINA: Not directly.
Thank you for having me.
But, no, she did not ask directly. I think Mrs. Clinton knows very
well that I have made it a practice that, for as long as South Carolina
becomes -- remains a pre-primary state, that is one of the four states that
are allowed to move before the primary season opens, when -- Iowa, New
Hampshire, Nevada and, of course, South Carolina.
In order to keep from jeopardizing that spot that we have in the
calender, I have made it a practice not to publicly get involved in
anybody`s campaign after the South Carolina primary. And she knows that.
But we had a very cordial meeting.
By the way, I was in three of her meetings today.
MATTHEWS: OK. Well, just you have given us the protocol that you`re
honoring, and I respect that. But can you, Congressman Clyburn, imagine
endorsing Bernie Sanders, Webb, Chafee, or who is the other guy running,
Chafee -- O`Malley running?
CLYBURN: O`Malley.
MATTHEWS: Can you imagine endorsing any one of them?
CLYBURN: Oh, I have got a very good imagination. You know me very
well.
(LAUGHTER)
CLYBURN: So, yes, I can imagine it. We will see what happens as the
campaign progresses.
MATTHEWS: What was Hillary Clinton`s pitch to you fellows today and
women? What was -- did you hear something different today that you
thought was a new appeal she was making to win -- to lock up this
nomination?
CLYBURN: You know, I think everything was pretty much the same on
substance.
I saw a style today that I had not seen before. And I have talked to
quite a few members, both in the full Democratic Caucus. I talked to a few
members after the Congressional Black Caucus meeting, and they were
ecstatic as to how comfortable she was, how personable she was in making
her presentations.
And I thought she acquitted herself very, very well today. Usually,
you hear things that people are a little bit concerned about, but I didn`t
hear anything that she ought to have any real concerns about after her
performances today.
MATTHEWS: That`s great to hear. I love politicians, when they get
together and they are warm towards each other.
CLYBURN: Absolutely.
MATTHEWS: Thank you, U.S. Congressman James Clyburn, who has yet to
announce his favorite for the Democratic nomination, until the South
Carolina all-important primary down there.
CLYBURN: Thank you.
MATTHEWS: Thank you, sir.
CLYBURN: Thank you.
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