She wants Biden to decide if he wants to stay or step down.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” refrained from fully endorsing President Joe Biden’s candidacy for the 2024 race, stating it is Biden’s decision to make whether he will run. Pelosi emphasized the urgency of Biden’s decision, noting that time is running short. She acknowledged Biden’s broad respect and popularity but underscored that the ultimate choice lies with him alone.
Pelosi’s remarks, significant due to her stature within the Democratic Party despite stepping down from leadership, have been interpreted as intentionally cautious to manage the discourse around Biden’s candidacy. She advised fellow Democrats to withhold public statements on Biden’s candidacy until further developments unfold, urging them to keep their thoughts private for now.
In response to Pelosi’s interview, a spokesperson reiterated that Pelosi fully supports whatever decision Biden makes regarding his candidacy. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming election’s critical nature and the potential consequences of a Donald Trump presidency.
While some Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have publicly endorsed Biden, there has been silence from many Democrats, with at least nine House Democrats publicly calling on Biden to withdraw from the race. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado became the first Senate Democrat to express doubts about Biden’s ability to defeat Trump.
Pelosi previously raised concerns about Biden’s debate performance but clarified that she does not believe he has any significant health issues that would affect his candidacy. Biden and the White House have both dismissed suggestions that health concerns impacted his performance, with Biden reaffirming his commitment to staying in the race.
