Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi Admits She Was ‘Never That Impressed’ with Biden’s Political Operation

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has opened up about her role in the recent controversy surrounding President Biden’s re-election campaign, admitting that she was “never that impressed” with his political operation. Her comments come as she promotes her new memoir, *The Art of Power*.

In an interview with *The New Yorker*, Pelosi, 84, they expressed concerns about Biden’s 2024 election prospects. “They won the White House. Bravo. But my concern was: This isn’t happening, and we have to decide for this to happen. The president has to decide for that to happen,” she said, reflecting on her doubts about Biden’s campaign effectiveness.

President Biden awarded Nancy Pelosi the Presidential Medal of Freedom back in May. Getty Images

Pelosi did not specify why she was unimpressed with Biden’s campaign, but her remarks have fueled speculation about her involvement in discussions about his future in the race. Despite praising Biden publicly as a “consequential president” worthy of being compared to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, Pelosi has been critical of his campaign’s performance.

Pelosi’s stance evolved significantly after Biden’s underwhelming debate performance against former President Donald Trump in late June. Initially, Pelosi defended Biden, but her tone shifted when Biden assured Democrats of his commitment to the race. Pelosi appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and remarked, “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run,” urging him to decide as “time is running short.” She later emphasized, “Whatever he decides, we go with.”

Concerns about his age had long dogged President Biden before dropping out. AFP via Getty Images

Reports suggest that Pelosi pressed Biden on polling data indicating he might struggle to win the election, even having him put his longtime adviser, Mike Donilon, on the phone to discuss the issue. There were also reports of blunt conversations between Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with Schumer reportedly urging Biden to drop out.

Pelosi, however, denied making any calls to influence Biden’s decision. “I never called one person. I kept true to my word. Any conversation I had was going to be with him. I never made one call,” she insisted. She admitted that while she did not make calls, she received numerous calls from others discussing the campaign’s challenges.

Pelosi stressed that her primary objective was to prevent Donald Trump from returning to the White House and to ensure Biden ran a better campaign. She acknowledged that she has not been in touch with Biden since the controversy and expressed regret about their strained relationship. “I pray so. I cry so,” she said about possibly mending their relationship. “I lose sleep on it, yeah.”

Nancy Pelosi and President Biden have known each other for decades. REUTERS

Reflecting on Biden’s debate performance, Pelosi described it as “startling” and acknowledged that she had underestimated the challenge Trump posed. “I just didn’t want him to be seen with that guy. And then that happened, and I think everybody was stunned. It was stunning,” she reflected.

Pelosi is on a book tour promoting her memoir, *The Art of Power*, which chronicles her time in Congress and her role in shaping significant legislation.