[1] He had been active in the Democratic Party[2] prior to his federal appointments and was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1915 to 1916.

[1] On January 10, 1947, Clifford was nominated by President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maine vacated by Judge John A. Peters.

[1] On July 14, 1915, he married Lucile E. Smith of Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Rep. John M. C.

[2] Clifford's nephew, Robert W. Clifford, son-in-law, Thomas E. Delahanty, and grandson, Thomas E. Delahanty II, have been judges in Maine.

His grandson, Thomas E. Delahanty II, has held the United States Attorney position twice.