Key ally says he would 'absolutely' support 'mini-primary' if Biden exits race

If President Joe Biden ends his campaign — a notion that White House officials poured freezing water on Wednesday — at least one Democratic ally said he'd expect and support a "mini-primary."

CNN asked Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) whether Vice President Kamala Harris would take the mantle of party nominee should Biden change his mind and step aside.

In response, Clyburn said it would likely come down to several candidates, including Harris and select Democratic governors to compete for the ticket before the Democratic National Convention.

"Well, I think we’re going to have a mini-primary leading into the convention,” he said, referring to a virtual roll call needed to appear on the Ohio ballot.

Clyburn added: “You can actually fashion the process that’s already in place to make it a mini-primary, and I would support that absolutely. We can’t close that down, and we should open up everything for the general election.”

Harris, he said, would likely acquit herself very well.

Read more: Revealed: Chuck Schumer reportedly signaled to allies pre-debate jitters about Joe Biden

Clyburn joined other Democrats and many in the GOP who openly said they'd like to hear from Biden following the debacle that was last week's debate.

Brianna Frias, a spokesperson for Clyburn later clarified to Politico in a statement that he was answering a what-if scenario.

“It is quite obvious that Congressman Clyburn was responding to a hypothetical question,” said Frias. “He was not calling for a ‘mini primary.’ Instead, he was explaining the existing process."

Clyburn, Frias said, "fully supports President Biden at the top of the ticket and it would be irresponsible to report anything otherwise.”

Karine Jean-Pierre, the current White House Press secretary, emphatically swatted reports Wednesday afternoon that Biden was considering dropping out of the race.

"Absolutely not," she told reporters, repeatedly emphasizing his record during his tenure, including the economy and job creation.

"By the way, he looks great," she added separately.

Biden and the White House have faced intense questions following his self-described sleepy performance at last week's debate in Atlanta, in which a cold left him sounding raspy.

The White House has doubled down and maintains he'll stay in the race. His chief of staff acknowledged to Biden's circle Wednesday that while he "didn't have a great night," it was just one night — "and what we all know is he is a great president."

This all comes after a soft-spoken Biden told donors Tuesday a tough travel schedule was partly to blame for his performance.

"I decided to travel around the world a couple of times ... shortly before the debate ... I didn't listen to my staff ... and then I almost fell asleep on stage," he said.