CNN Host Asks Jim Clyburn If Democrats Not Having Open Primary In 2024 Led To Leadership Struggles

CNN anchor Brianna Keilar asked Democratic South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn Wednesday whether his party’s failure to hold an open primary in 2024 contributed to its current lack of strong leadership.

Democrats are facing record-low favorability as top lawmakers — such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — garnered criticism for not effectively leading their party. Keilar, on “CNN News Central,” asked Clyburn if the lack of a primary in 2024 complicated Democratic efforts to compete.

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“I do want to ask you — because of this discord in the party — in 2024, there was no open Democratic primary. We didn’t really get to see a bench of Democratic voices. We could have seen that if Joe Biden had stepped down sooner,” Keilar said. “But I wonder if not being able to see that and have that sort of national stage for those folks, if you can draw a line from that to a lack of more practiced leadership in the Democratic Party, as we’re seeing right now?”

Clyburn responded that he was not sure and declined to elaborate further.

“Well, I don‘t know if you can draw a line or not, but I know I don’t waste any time drawing lines. I learned very early not to spend a whole lot of time crying over spilled milk,” Clyburn said. “The campaign is over. We’ve lost the election. What we’ve got to do now is develop a response to the American people on what we as Democrats are going to do going forward.