Black Caucus Chair Says Democrats Need Diversity

The chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus says the Democratic leadership race between Reps. Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn is not a choice about one lawmaker versus the other.

But Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., wants this to be clear: An African American needs to be in the room when Nancy Pelosi, the likely top Democratic leader, makes decisions about how to counter the Republican majority.

“This is a multiracial society,” Lee told USA TODAY. Clyburn “brings to the table what needs to be done for communities of color.”

Hoyer and Clyburn are vying for the post of Democratic whip, the No. 2 slot in the party’s leadership when the 112th Congress convenes in January. {snip}

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Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., a Black Caucus member, says the needs of the Democratic caucus–and not race–will trump any other consideration in the leadership fight. He said in an interview that he’s hoping for “corrective action.”

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