Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., expressed uncertainty regarding her relationship with President Biden on Monday.
Biden made headlines last month by announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. This decision followed weeks of calls from Democratic lawmakers for him to step down after a heavily criticized debate performance, with reports suggesting that Pelosi played a role in encouraging his withdrawal.
CNN’s Dana Bash highlighted Pelosi’s previous insistence that she “did not pressure him to step aside.” However, she noted that several lawmakers who requested Biden to withdraw were closely aligned with Pelosi: Adam Schiff, Jamie Raskin, and Zoe Lofgren.
“People have mentioned to me, and as a longtime observer of you, I thought, ‘Oh, those are clearly Pelosi allies,’” Bash remarked, asking, “Did you have any involvement in that?”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed her relationship with President Biden. (CNN)
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Pelosi seemed to take umbrage while defending her stance, asserting that she has “hundreds of allies in the Congress.” Bash maintained that many of those calling for Biden’s exit were among Pelosi’s close allies.
“It’s somewhat disrespectful to them because they’re significant figures in Congress,” Pelosi contended. “They make their own decisions and express their own views.”
Bash posed the question, “Have you communicated with President Biden since his departure?”
“No,” Pelosi responded. “I have not.”
“Is there a desire to?” Bash inquired. When Pelosi affirmed she does, Bash pressed further, “Is everything alright with your relationship?”
“You should ask him,” Pelosi replied. “But I hope it is.”
President Biden addresses the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on August 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Pelosi continued to express admiration for the president, stating, “I care for Joe Biden and have respected him for over 40 years,” adding, “He has made significant contributions to our nation in a remarkably short time compared to any other president.”
She highlighted Biden’s key legislative successes, commenting, “In just two years, this is a remarkable agenda. He has been an excellent president, guided by values, knowledge, judgment, and a genuine concern for the American people.”
On CBS, Pelosi called Biden “a consequential president of the United States, a Mount Rushmore kind of president.”
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She reiterated that she was not involved in any efforts to persuade Biden to exit the race.
“No, I was not the leader of any pressure campaign,” Pelosi explained on CBS. “Let me clarify: I didn’t call anyone. I can truthfully say, ‘I never called anybody.'”
