Pelosi creates No. 3 spot for Clyburn

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Majority Whip Jim Clyburn will move to the new post of "assistant leader" if U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has her way when the Democrats become the minority.

Pelosi, the California congresswoman who is running for minority leader after the Democrats' shellacking in the midterm elections, said Friday she will be nominating Clyburn for a newly established No. 3 spot in the party's House hierarchy, Politico reported Saturday.

"Should I receive the privilege of serving as House Democratic leader, I will be very honored to nominate our outstanding colleague, Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, to serve in the No. 3 House Democratic position. I will also ask the caucus to designate that position as assistant leader," Pelosi wrote in a letter Saturday.

Clyburn, reportedly tussling with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., to be minority whip in the next Congress, urged Democratic members Saturday to accept Pelosi's proposal.

"To me, the best way to resolve this issue, maintain diversity in the leadership and cohesion in our caucus is to pull up another chair to the leadership table with a substantive, well-defined portfolio that will contribute in a meaningful way to our important work and to regaining the majority," Clyburn wrote in a letter to his party colleagues.

"With your support of Nancy's proposal, I hope to continue to work towards building consensus within our caucus and bridges to communities and constituents across the country."

Hoyer, who stands to be bumped down by Pelosi in January, has yet to weigh in on the plan, Politico said.