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Clyburn not shy about earmarks

July 2, 2008 — When Jim Clyburn arrived in the nation’s capital a few years back, he was an unknown Democrat. Today, he has emerged as one of the most visible, powerful, influential members of Congress, putting some of his more senior colleagues to shame.

It’s called political opportunism. Clyburn would see an opening and promptly fill it.

Like when he first arrived on the scene in the nation’s capital. He wasted no time in making a name for himself.

He saw a leadership vacuum and moved quickly to fill it. He offered his candidacy for president of the U.S. House freshman class, the largest in history. He won in a cake walk.

Clyburn has been on the move since, running for this and that. Nobody has been able to stop him.

Today, he is the third most powerful member of the U.S. House, having been elected House majority whip. That puts him second in line behind the House speaker.

A colleague, U.S. House Rep. John Spratt of York, a leader in his own right, says Clyburn is one of the most influential members of Congress.

Everyone running for higher office these days seeks his endorsement. The two leading 2008 Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, sought his backing. Clyburn, South Carolina’s first black member of Congress since Reconstruction, ended up endorsing Obama.

His fame and glory, however, hasn’t come without some price.

Lately, he has been the target of some media queries, accusing him of obtaining millions of dollars that benefited causes tied to his family and friends.

Clyburn, who enjoys a good fight, has taken on the media.

“ I don’t understand why the media continues to write what is not true,” he complained in a recent interview.

According to published reports, $6.2 million in Clyburn earmarks over a decade went to projects and employers linked to Clyburn friends and family members.

The congressman didn’t exactly deny the charges. He just said some of the reports paint an inaccurate picture.

For example, in 2003, he helped secure $995,000 for Columbia’s Drew Wellness Center where his daughter works.

Clyburn said his daughter didn’t start working there until three years later, helping to build membership.

She since has resigned the post, he said.

In another instance, Clyburn said he got $282,000 for the South Sumter Resource Center where his sister-in-law is housing coordinator.

“They’re saying the funds are going to benefit her,” Clyburn said. “That’s not true. She works way over in the other end of the building for another entity.”

Clyburn defends his earmarks as a way to to get needed money in the hands of deserving projects that will help South Carolinians.

This year Clyburn said he received about 900 requests from towns, organizations, and nonprofit groups in the 15-county area he represents.

Despite the criticism, Clyburn vowed to press on with his fight to obtain earmarks for his district and the people he represents.

As he points out, if he doesn’t get the earmarks for his district, someone else will.

And he’s not about to let that happen.