Hillary Clinton declared Tuesday that Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is the highest-ranking African-American government official. Barack Obama is the first African-American president of the United States.
Clinton made the slip-up during a radio appearance on WMBM 1490 in Miami, a gospel station, ahead of her planned afternoon rally with former Vice President Al Gore. She made the claim after calling fore more investments in inner cities, which Clyburn backs.
“We need more good jobs with rising wages for more people, particularly in communities that have been left behind. That’s why I want to target youth unemployment, but I want to go beyond that.
“I want to encourage more investment in communities. I really like the idea of a program that Congressman Jim Clyburn from South Carolina, the highest-ranking African-American in our government, has been promoting, and I have embraced it, called 10-20-30,” Clinton said, referring to a plan where 10 percent of federal funds going to 20 percent of the communities that have lived in poverty for 30 or more years.
Clinton was likely referring to Clyburn’s position as the highest-ranking African-American member of the congressional leadership. Clyburn is currently the third-highest ranking Democrat in the House, serving as the assistant Democratic leader.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas are other high-ranking African-American government officials, in addition to Obama.
