According to multiple reports, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — long known for her staunch legislative power and confrontation with Republicans — has been integral in pushing President Joe Biden to reconsider his 2024 re-election bid.
“Nancy made it clear that they can do it the easy way or the hard way,” said a Democrat familiar with the private conversation. told Politico. “He gave them three weeks easy way. It’s going to be a tough road.”
According to the publication, the hard way could include Pelosi campaigning for devastating domestic polls that show Biden losing easily won states in 2020. And it could clearly tell Pelosi and other Democratic leaders that it’s time for Biden to go. Current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also had open conversations with the president about dropping out, though Pelosi’s position remained Seen as one of the most His status in the party is influential.
Pelosi’s ability to influence the president was surprising given her unique position of power among Democrats, which she gained after serving two crucial terms as House speaker and more than three decades as a lawmaker. During his time as speaker, he was known for overseeing the passage of critical policies such as the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform, and the American Rescue Plan, and for leading a fragmented conference to rally behind them. Over the years, he has also built deep relationships across the party and with various presidents — including Biden — while running the House.
Pelosi’s success (and extensive relationships) have all taken its toll. And they indicate how laser-focused he is on results, even because of personal or political repercussions. Whether involving conflict with former President Donald Trump or using his political power to persuade other members to support his policies, he is known for sticking to his beliefs.
These trends were evident in how he handled the Democrats’ Biden crisis, which saw him Subtly pressure the President To move on to one of his favorite television shows, His network workheld direct conversationAnd finally, according to reports, Issue an ultimatum.
His recent actions were likely fueled by a drive to win and could pose a risk to Biden down-ballot House races. vote. Overall, though, they mark the latest example of Pelosi’s singularly dominant role within the party and the skillful way in which she wields that power.
How did Pelosi become so influential?
Pelosi’s willingness to take a tough stand and the effectiveness she’s had in doing so is a trademark of her leadership and a big reason she’s earned so much respect. Simply put, he is known for delivery.
His passage of health care reform, a goal that stymied numerous Democratic speakers, for example, was just one of many steps that cemented those credentials.
To rally a broad and divided Democratic convention around the Affordable Care Act, Pelosi spent countless hours on the phone, navigating members’ concerns, said Molly Ball, a Wall Street Journal writer and author. Pelosi, a biography, previously told Vox. And he found specific arguments that would appeal to those who were wary of supporting the bill. For example, in the case of then-Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly, Pelosi knew how important her Catholic background was to her and she was president. Notre Dame, his Catholic alma mater, made a personal call.
Pelosi’s handling of that bill illustrated how committed she can be to an outcome, even if that goal comes with a high political cost. “He was ultimately willing to lose the speakership if it meant Americans would have permanent health care,” Ball said. After the House passed the ACA in 2009, the political backlash — which both Pelosi and then-President Barack Obama anticipated — led to Democrats losing the House in the 2010 midterm elections.
His willingness to accept difficult consequences to reach his ultimate goal was also reflected in his tough conversations with Biden, despite the reputational risk they might pose.
Beyond her success in advancing policy and winning elections, Pelosi is also known for how vocal she has been as an opponent of Trump. His dedication to that role fueled the perception of his strength as a leader and added to the sense that he was prioritizing only what was necessary to prevent his return to power.
“He is the single most productive legislator of our time. So, you know, people trust his guidance, they trust his judgment. And she’s done more than anybody else,” Drew Hamill, Pelosi’s former deputy chief of staff, told Vox.
