As a follow-up to a story I wrote for today's paper about black members of Congress detecting racism in the remarks of the McCain campaign, I called Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina to ask why different audiences were apparently hearing such different messages in what John McCain and Sarah Palin are saying.

"If your experiences help to make who and what you are, then words and phrases are understood to the extent that your experiences allow you to understand them," he said. "If somebody were to say to an all-white group, "you people," white people might understand that one way.  read more »

"Preparing for a potential Democratic victory on Election Day, House Democratic Caucus Chairman James Clyburn (S.C.) has begun rounding up support for a would-be bid for the Majority Whip's office."

The subtext to Clybrun's move is the question of what Rahm Emanuel, the architect of the House Democrats' campaign strategy, wants out of a Democratic takeover.

But Majority Whip, the number three post on the majority side, could be a winnable race - and would position Emanuel very nicely for the future, since the 66-year-old Pelosi, 67-year-old Hoyer and 74-year-old Murtha are all on the back nine of their careers. Hence the pre-emptive maneuvering of Clyburn, who as Caucus Chairman is now the third-ranking House Democrat.