Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Pelosi gave an unexpected response when asked about the current calls for Joe Biden to step down. The president has been facing accusations about his mental competence following his disastrous debate performance last month.
Pelosi, who has been exhibiting signs of cognitive decline herself over the years, gave a response that suggests something might be happening behind the scenes.
Host Jonathan Lemire asked Pelosi, “Does Joe Biden have your support to be the head of the Democratic ticket?”
Pelosi replied, “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision. Because time is running short.”
However, Joe Biden has already asserted that he is “firmly committed to staying in the race.”
When Lemire pressed her further on whether she wants Biden to run, Pelosi added, “I want him to do whatever he decides to do. And that’s the way it is. Whatever he decides, we go with.”
Watch:
🚨Wow. Nancy Pelosi still won’t back Joe Biden:
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) July 10, 2024
MSNBC: “Does Joe Biden have your support to be the head of the Democratic ticket?”
Pelosi: “It’s up to the President to decide if he’s going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short.” pic.twitter.com/BUBFJwfYZc
Pelosi’s comments indicate a significant rift within the Democrat Party, especially since Biden adamantly declared just days ago in a phone call with MSNBC that he is not dropping out of the race.
CNBC reported:
Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday refused to explicitly endorse President Joe Biden as the party’s presidential nominee, and encouraged her colleagues in Congress to pause from making public statements either for or against Biden.
“Let’s just hold off. Whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week,” Pelosi said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
The comments were notable because Biden has repeatedly insisted he will not drop out of the race against former President Donald Trump, and said that his decision is final.
Pelosi’s carefully worded comments suggested that she believes Biden is still deciding whether or not to remain atop the ticket.
