House

Pelosi endorses Clinton — just not officially

by Mike Lillis - 04/14/15 6:42 PM ET

Just don’t call it an endorsement.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday heaped lavish praise on Hillary Clinton as among the most qualified presidential contenders in generations. But the House minority leader stopped short of officially endorsing the 2016 Democratic hopeful.

“I won’t be using this occasion … to make any announcement about any endorsement for president,” Pelosi told reporters in the Capitol. “But I will say what I’ve always said: Hillary Clinton will be a great candidate for president.

{mosads}”When she wins and goes into the Oval Office, she’ll be one of the best prepared people [in my lifetime] to serve in that office,” Pelosi added. “She has knowledge of judgment; she has a vision for our country; she knows how to get a job done; and she’s just so appealing to so many in our country — there’s great enthusiasm for her candidacy.”

“That’s not an endorsement?” asked a reporter in the crowd.

Pelosi, whose rise to the Speakership in 2007 made her the highest-ranking elected woman in the nation’s history, has long been a vocal supporter of a White House run by Clinton, who officially announced her candidacy on Sunday after several years of laying the groundwork.

In January, Pelosi predicted the former secretary of State would win the presidency if she were to run, providing House Democrats a boost among female and middle-class voters along the way.

House Democratic whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) echoed that message Tuesday, calling Clinton a “very strong candidate” with “extraordinary experience” who will pull more Democrats to the polls.

“I think the House is in play. And I think a Hillary Clinton candidacy gives us a greater opportunity to take back the House,” Hoyer said.

Tags Nancy Pelosi