Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reveals a surprising lack of communication with President Biden following his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
According to Fox News, Pelosi admitted in a recent interview that she has not spoken to President Biden since he dropped out of the race.
This revelation comes after reports suggested Pelosi was part of a group of Democrats who privately urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy. In the interview with The Guardian's Politics Weekly America podcast, Pelosi denied being involved in a pressure campaign against the president. However, she acknowledged that her actions might have caused some unease in their long-standing friendship.
The former House Speaker expressed her deep respect for President Biden, praising him as "one of the great consequential presidents of our country." She emphasized that her primary concern was protecting Biden's legacy, which she believed was at risk given the trajectory of the election campaign.
Pelosi explained her motivation, stating that she sought to redirect the campaign onto a more favorable course. She maintained that the final decision remained with the president, who ultimately chose to step aside.
Despite the lack of communication, Pelosi remains optimistic about their relationship. She mentioned being "prayerful" about the situation, indicating her hope for reconciliation.
The revelation sheds light on the internal debates within the Democratic Party regarding their 2024 election strategy. Pelosi, along with other high-ranking Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, reportedly voiced concerns about Biden's candidacy following a challenging debate performance in June.
Pelosi's public comments on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" in July are now seen as a pivotal moment in the movement to reconsider Biden's candidacy. Her suggestion that the president's decision to run was not final is believed to have influenced the subsequent events.
The former Speaker justified her stance by emphasizing the importance of winning the upcoming election. She expressed her firm belief that preventing former President Donald Trump from returning to the White House is crucial.
In the interview, Pelosi outlined her approach to political campaigning, emphasizing the necessity of making decisions that favor winning. She highlighted the importance of mobilization, messaging, and fundraising but stressed that the most critical factor is the candidate and their campaign strategy.
When pressed about her assessment of Biden's chances, Pelosi clarified that her concern was not with Biden himself but with the direction of his campaign. She believed that changes were necessary for success, and Biden's decision to step aside was his way of implementing that change.
Pelosi acknowledged that some individuals close to the president might still harbor resentment towards her for her role in the events leading to his withdrawal. However, she maintains that her actions were motivated by a desire to secure a Democratic victory in the upcoming election.
Pelosi's revelation about the lack of communication with President Biden since his withdrawal from the race provides insight into the complex dynamics within the Democratic Party. It underscores the challenges faced by party leaders in navigating personal relationships and political strategies. The situation reflects the ongoing debates within the party about the best path forward for the 2024 election, with the ultimate goal of maintaining Democratic control of the White House.