(The Center Square) – Former House Speaker and long-time Democratic party leader Nancy Pelosi weighed in on whether President Joe Biden should drop out of the race to let another Democrat challenge former President Donald Trump.
Pelosi, who is 84 years old, made the comments Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” and appeared to suggest there was still a chance Biden could step down, despite the president saying he has no intention of doing so.
When directly asked if Biden has her support to be the head of the Democratic ticket, the California Democrat said “it’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run.”
“We are all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” Pelosi continued. “I think overwhelming support of the caucus, it’s not for me to say, I’m not the head of the caucus anymore, but he is beloved. He is respected, and people want him to make that decision.”
When pressed further with the point that Biden says he has already made the decision to stay in the race, Pelosi said, “I want him to do whatever he decides to do, and that’s the way it is.”
“Whatever he decides, we go with,” she said.
Pelosi said Biden was “spectacular” at his NATO summit speech the day before and lauded his record. She emphasized the importance of the NATO summit, which Biden is hosting with dozens of world leaders, and seemed to suggest Biden’s decision should come after the NATO summit.
Pelosi’s comments sparked headlines Wednesday and are particularly important given her senior influence within the party, especially since they seem to contradict Rep. Alexandira Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another leader in the party, who told reporters Monday that “the matter is closed.”
Notably, Biden called in to “Morning Joe” earlier this week to shore up support within his own party.
Biden has repeatedly and emphatically said he will remain in the race and told Democrats questioning his candidacy to give it up. Congressional Democrats have continued to pressure Biden out of fear that his weakness will lead to them losing their seats, and any chance at a House or Senate majority, down the ballot.
Enthusiasm about the candidate on the top of the ticket traditionally has a major impact on down ballot races, especially in tight races.
Biden’s woes reached a crescendo following the first debate between Biden and Trump two weeks ago, when Biden faltered, stumbled and at times was incoherent in the debate.
Immediately after the debate, Democrats in the party, including elected Democrats, began calling for Biden to step aside, largely aided by left-leaning media.
Biden has pushed back, including sending a letter to Congress attempting to end the discussions, but has so far not succeeded.
The latest polling shows Trump has a lead over Biden, especially in several key swing states.
