Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expressed long-standing dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s campaign strategy, revealing her doubts about his chances of winning the 2024 election before he ultimately decided to drop out. In a candid interview with The New Yorker published Thursday, Pelosi voiced concerns about Biden’s political operation, which she felt was not robust enough to secure a victory against Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Pelosi’s Concerns About Biden’s Campaign
Pelosi, 84, did not hold back in her critique, stating, “I’ve never been that impressed with his political operation. They won the White House. Bravo. But my concern was: this ain’t happening, and we have to make a decision for this to happen. The President has to make the decision for that to happen.”
Her remarks reflect a growing frustration with the Biden campaign’s approach, which she believed was failing to confront the realities of the political landscape. Despite her admiration for Biden’s accomplishments, Pelosi suggested that the campaign was not in a winning position, particularly in light of the challenging polling numbers from June and July, which indicated a broadening battleground map.
A Push for a Better Campaign
While Pelosi admitted to privately voicing her concerns to Biden, she emphasized that the decision to drop out and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor was ultimately Biden’s. “I really wanted him to make a decision for a better campaign, because they were not facing the fact of what was happening,” Pelosi explained. She underscored the importance of this decision, highlighting the potential consequences of a Trump victory, which she described as a threat not only to the presidency but also to the control of the House.
Pelosi framed her actions as an effort to protect Biden’s political legacy, noting her deep respect for his recent achievements, including the successful negotiation of a prisoner exchange that freed American journalist Evan Gershkovich and other detainees. However, she acknowledged that this rescue mission might have strained her personal relationship with Biden.
The Personal Cost
When asked about the impact of these events on her friendship with Biden, Pelosi responded emotionally, saying, “I hope so. I pray so. I cry so. I lose sleep on it.” Her words reveal the personal toll that these political decisions have taken on her, as she balances her admiration for Biden with the harsh realities of political strategy.
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