In July 2022, when Nancy Pelosi was the Speaker of the House, she faced a critical moment. Late one night, she learned that House Republicans had withdrawn their support for a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting America’s semiconductor industry. Some liberal Democrats were also hesitant about providing what they saw as corporate welfare. Despite these challenges, Pelosi decided to push forward with the bill. She told her staff to inform the Republicans they were moving ahead without them. This move was bold, and not a single Democrat voted against the bill. Once it became clear that the bill would pass and head to President Joe Biden’s desk, a few dozen Republicans eventually supported it, leading to its success.
Pelosi recently recounted this story during a 100-minute interview as part of her book tour promoting “The Art of Power.” The book chronicles her 20-year leadership as the Democratic leader and her rise to one of the most powerful positions in Congress. The book, which she had been planning for years, serves as a lesson on how she wielded power more effectively than many of her predecessors, all of whom were White men. Even after stepping down from her leadership role, Pelosi continues to influence the political landscape, particularly in advising fellow Democrats on pushing Biden to reconsider his reelection efforts.
While Pelosi claims she hasn’t directly called anyone to urge Biden to step aside, she acknowledged receiving countless messages from concerned Democrats. She believes the support for Vice President Kamala Harris validates the push for Biden to reconsider, although it has strained her long-standing friendship with the president. In the interview, Pelosi made it clear that her current focus is on defeating Donald Trump, whom she vehemently opposes. She stated that her goal is to ensure Trump never returns to the White House, a sentiment she has carried since her time as Speaker.
Pelosi’s book covers key issues from her tenure, including her battles with China over human rights, her opposition to the Iraq War, her role in passing the 2008 financial relief package, and the 2010 Affordable Care Act. However, recent events, including the Trump presidency, the January 6th Capitol insurrection, and the attack on her husband, have also been addressed in the book.
Throughout the interview, Pelosi emphasized the importance of knowing one’s purpose in politics, a concept she refers to as “Know Your Why.” For Pelosi, her “why” has always been about leaving the world better for future generations, particularly focusing on children and a strong economy. But now, in the later stages of her career, Pelosi’s “why” has shifted to a more immediate goal: defeating Trump. She passionately explained that her motivation in opposing Biden’s continued campaign is solely about stopping Trump from returning to power.
Pelosi reflected on her first and second terms as Speaker, where she clashed with Republican presidents but also worked on major bipartisan deals during global crises. She noted that while these deals were necessary, they often became political burdens for Democrats. For example, during the financial crisis in 2008, Pelosi’s Democrats provided the majority of votes for the $700 billion bailout, stabilizing the economy. However, when Obama took office, Republicans blamed his administration and Pelosi for the lingering effects of the Great Recession, leading to significant losses for Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections.
Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pelosi worked with the Trump administration on several relief packages. While these measures were necessary, they also became a point of contention during the 2022 midterm elections, where Republicans regained control of the House.
Now, Pelosi has stepped down from leadership and returned to the rank-and-file. Although she no longer holds a formal leadership role, she continues to raise funds and offer advice to fellow Democrats. Pelosi enjoys the freedom of her current position, dispensing wisdom with a mix of pragmatism and political strategy.
When discussing her approach to dealing with Republicans, especially those who mocked the attack on her husband, Pelosi emphasized the importance of knowing who your true friends are. She also shared that she had blunt conversations with some GOP lawmakers, telling them, “We’re out to get you, you’re dead.”
As for her relationship with Biden, Pelosi remains tight-lipped, adhering to the motto taught to her by former California Governor Jerry Brown: “Those who talk don’t know and those who know don’t talk.” She believes that Democrats have missed opportunities to highlight their legislative accomplishments ahead of the November elections.
Pelosi continues to advise the Harris campaign, suggesting they focus on future proposals, such as the expanded child tax credit. For Pelosi, if she could achieve one more legislative victory, it would be in the area of child care, which she believes would make a significant difference in the economy.
Her ultimate “why,” however, remains defeating Trump, whom she views as unpatriotic and dangerous for the country. Pelosi dismissed any notion that her book title was a reference to Trump’s “The Art of the Deal,” emphasizing that her only concern with Trump is his downfall.
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Pelosi maintains friendships with some GOP elder statesmen, such as George W. Bush, but she has little time for younger Republicans who align with Trump. She recalled declining invitations from several first-term Republicans, making it clear that she is focused on their defeat.
