Pelosi Creates New Position for Clyburn

In order to avoid an embarrassing racial flap, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is creating a new leadership position for South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn.

The maneuvering was described by Democratic officials after Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a vaguely worded statement saying she intends to nominate Clyburn to a new No. 3 post. The statement made no mention of Hoyer, and officials who filled in the details did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not permitted to speak publicly about the matter.

In other words, Speaker Pelosi uses affirmative action to create the token position of House Minority Minority Leader.