Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, has reflected on her complicated relationship with President Joe Biden after openly questioning whether he should run for reelection. Despite the tension, Pelosi stands by her role in subtly encouraging Biden to step aside, stating she has no regrets.
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when a reporter asked if she had second thoughts about her influence in reshaping the 2024 presidential race, Pelosi shot back, “Why would you ask me that question? I’m a very deliberate person.” This gathering, meant to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’s spot on the ticket, has also turned into a platform for Pelosi to unapologetically address her involvement.
Pelosi’s presence has been hard to miss. Since her arrival, she has attended over 20 events, hosted a luncheon with over 500 guests, and taken countless selfies with supporters. She is celebrated by many at the convention, with some even wearing pins featuring her face labeled as “The Godmother.” Though Pelosi dismisses the notion that she orchestrated everything, she admits she would do whatever it takes to boost the Democrats’ chances against Donald Trump.
Of course, Pelosi’s actions haven’t come without backlash. Some Democrats, particularly those close to Biden, remain angry over her public push for him to step down. There are murmurs about potential plans to curb Pelosi’s influence within the party after the November election. One rumored strategy is targeting her daughter, Christine Pelosi, who is speculated to be considering a run for her mother’s California House seat.
When asked how she would respond to Democrats still upset with her involvement in Biden’s decision, Pelosi remained unfazed. “I have my relationship with the president, and I just wanted to win this election. So if they’re upset, I’m sorry for them, but the country is very happy,” she said following a breakfast meeting with the California delegation. She added, “I don’t know who they are, but that’s their problem.”
While the majority of Democrats at the convention defend and celebrate Pelosi, her influence in the party is undeniable. California Governor Gavin Newsom, during a roll call vote on Tuesday, introduced himself as being from “the great state of Nancy Pelosi.”
Pelosi’s upcoming speech at the convention on Wednesday night marks another milestone in her storied career. Having served as the top Democrat in the House for over 35 years, she has made history as the first woman speaker and played a pivotal role in passing major legislation during the Obama and Biden administrations.
Now, in what seems to be the twilight of her political journey, Pelosi is more outspoken and less constrained by the need to unify her Democratic colleagues. Her candidness during the debate over Biden’s future has shaped the path forward for Harris, who, like Pelosi, hails from California.
Critics argue that Pelosi is adept at manipulating narratives to her advantage. But Pelosi insists her only goal is to ensure the Democrats’ success. She even recounted how a House member from Illinois told her that over 1,100 new volunteers signed up after Harris was named the Democratic nominee, signaling widespread enthusiasm.
As the Democratic Party rallies around Harris, the focus remains on those who may have influenced Biden’s decision to step aside. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly had private meetings with Biden, advising him that Democrats could lose both chambers if he stayed at the top of the ticket. Yet, they’ve remained tight-lipped about those discussions.
Pelosi has been more transparent, though she hasn’t disclosed exactly what she told Biden after his shaky debate performance in June. Publicly, she relayed the concerns of “hundreds” of House Democrats who reached out to her. While Biden remained determined, Pelosi subtly reopened the debate days later on MSNBC by suggesting, “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run.”
Pelosi’s skill at rallying House Democrats and shifting the conversation proved crucial. When some Democrats wavered in their belief that Biden could be persuaded, Pelosi encouraged the California delegation to fall in line behind Harris. This unity solidified Harris’s position as Biden gradually stepped back.
Biden, however, denies that Pelosi played a role in his decision. “I haven’t spoken to Nancy at all. Look, no one influenced my decision,” Biden told reporters before heading to California for a vacation.
Despite the drama, Pelosi remains full of praise for Biden. “He’s one of the greatest, most consequential, presidents in our country’s history,” she said, emphasizing his empathy, strategic thinking, and understanding that it was time to pass the baton.
While some Democrats like Anita Dunn, a former senior advisor to Biden, may feel betrayed, most seem to accept Pelosi’s role as a power player. Pelosi remains “The Godmother” in the eyes of many. Delegates, especially those from California, show nothing but respect for her leadership, even if she’s ruffled feathers along the way.
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As Delaware delegates, who represent Biden’s home state, initially resisted the shift to Harris, they have now embraced it with enthusiasm. Pelosi’s ability to shape the outcome, even at this stage of her career, reaffirms her status as a formidable figure in Democratic politics.
