The relationship between President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to be at a standstill following Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. In a recent interview with CNN, Pelosi confirmed that the two haven't spoken since Biden's announcement, raising questions about the state of their once-close relationship. "You'd have to ask him, but I hope so," Pelosi said when asked if everything was "OK" between them. "Look, I love Joe Biden, respected him for over 40 years."
The friction between the two Democratic leaders became public when Biden, 81, reportedly became annoyed with Pelosi, 84, for urging him not to run for president again. CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins reported that Biden was particularly upset with Pelosi because some of the calls for him to step aside came from her close allies. "Much of his anger directed at Nancy Pelosi," Collins said, adding that Biden was "seething" after learning about the push for him to drop out.
Despite these reports, Pelosi has vehemently denied leading the charge to push Biden out of the race. "That is wrong. I'll tell you what I did not do. I did not call one person," she said during an interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly. "I read in the press that I was burning up the phone lines, and I only called one person. People called me. Some of them I received their calls. Some of them I didn't."
Pelosi's comments suggest that while she may have had concerns about Biden's viability as a candidate, she did not actively campaign for his withdrawal. "Well, let me just say that... I have the highest regard for Joe Biden. He is one of the great most consequential presidents of our time and certainly in American history... When I love him, I've loved him for over 40 years, he and his family," she stated. Pelosi emphasized that her focus was on ensuring the Democratic Party could run a successful campaign and keep Donald Trump out of the White House.
The tension between Biden and Pelosi dates back to a tough-love conversation before Biden announced his decision to step down. Pelosi reportedly warned Biden that his polling against Trump made it clear that he couldn't win in November. Sources told CNN that Biden was "seething" at Pelosi during the conversation, feeling pushed out by her and other Democrats.
Since Biden's announcement, Pelosi has attempted to distance herself from the narrative that she led the movement to push him out. Instead, she has praised Biden's legacy and the achievements of his administration. "It wasn't a question of his deciding - It was a question of deciding what kind of campaign would go forward," Pelosi explained. She highlighted her commitment to winning back the House and preventing Trump from returning to the White House as key motivations for her actions.
Pelosi has also been supportive of Vice President Kamala Harris, who has taken over the top spot on the Democratic ticket. "Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what's possible," Pelosi said. She described Harris as "very politically astute" and praised her ability to win competitive primaries, such as her campaign for California's attorney general.
The strained relationship between Biden and Pelosi has raised concerns about unity within the Democratic Party as it prepares for the 2024 election. Despite the public displays of respect and admiration, the lack of communication between two of the party's most prominent figures suggests underlying tensions that could impact their ability to present a united front.
As the Democratic Party moves forward with Harris and her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the focus will be on healing any rifts and building a cohesive strategy to challenge Trump. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the party can overcome internal divisions and rally around its candidates.
