Pelosi plays a role few Democrats can amid Biden campaign turmoil

As the pressure mounted on President Biden about whether to continue his presidential bid, Democrats saw only one person who could help bring the conversation to the forefront: former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Since Biden’s dismal debate performance three weeks ago, Pelosi listened to members, huddled with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and called former President Obama. And then she appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” — Biden’s favorite news program — to drop her first hints. “I want him to do whatever he decides to do,” she said at the time. “And that’s the way it is, whatever he decides we go with.” 

Behind the scenes last week, Pelosi relayed her concerns to Biden about what she’s been hearing from members, coupled with the facts that polls show he was going to lose to Trump. She has also told some allies in recent days that she’s worried about fundraising, which had slowed down tremendously.  

One House Democrat said it’s apparent Pelosi had presented data to Biden that “can’t be dismissed or denied,” and that she is “helping the White House understand the consequences that will flow if that data materializes in the election.” 

“Once she weighs in, it’s done,” one Democratic strategist said. “He wanted the Lord Almighty. Well, this is the Lord Almighty.”

On Thursday, a spokesperson for Pelosi sought to downplay the conversation with Biden and the discussion around it.

“Speaker Pelosi respects the confidentiality of her meetings and the conversations with the President of the United States,” the spokesperson said. “Sadly the feeding frenzy from the press based on anonymous sources misrepresents any conversations the Speaker may have had with the President.” 

On Thursday, hours after news leaked of Pelosi’s call with Biden, the walls appeared to be closing in on him. And he has told allies that he’s willing to listen to views on why he should leave the race, a departure from his prior stance. Biden was facing realities of a narrative that he could not outrun, and increasingly diminished support from key supporters. Pelosi made that clear. 

As top Democrats note, she knows exactly how and when to hold up a mirror, even in the most pivotal hours. 

“She’s like a magician,” a source close to Pelosi said. “She’s extraordinarily intentional.” 

With Biden, the source added, Pelosi is “trying hard to keep the balance and helping him reach a decision by gently pulling, never pushing.”

“When you watch her with reluctant members, she doesn’t whip. She guides. She lets you reach your own decision,” the source said.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called her “an influencer.”

“She can concentrate disparate points of view, and that is a skill set for which she is admired and respected within the caucus.” 

Pelosi and Biden have a mutual respect for each other and the respective roles they’ve played in the Democratic Party, allies on both sides say. One major Democratic donor said that above all, “they’re peers, and he values her opinion much more so than some up-and-comer.” It is why Pelosi can effectively make the case, the donor and others said. 

But one longtime ally said the strategy to get Biden to realize he has to step down has been done without emotion, at least for Pelosi. Those who know the former House Speaker best and have worked alongside her for years call it “Vintage Pelosi.” 

“Her job is not to be Joe Biden’s friend,” one longtime Pelosi ally said. “She is not calling to say, ‘My opinion is more important than yours.’ She simply deals in facts and data and strategy.”

“One of her specialities is removing emotion,” the ally said. “This isn’t emotional. This is factual. She is always a realist. Her job is not to run Joe Biden’s campaign. Her job is to ensure Democrats win and Donald Trump does not.” 

Those in Pelosi’s world say nothing was by accident the past few weeks, including her appearance on “Morning Joe.” Nor the sudden announcement by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) — who is close to Pelosi — on Wednesday calling on Biden to step aside. 

It is a strategy she has employed with her own party for years, but amid the current Biden controversy, she has had the space as the former Speaker — with not much to lose — to make the case, unlike Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jeffries. 

“In her new role, that’s what she can contribute more than anything else,” Connolly said. “Remember, this is a person who has been given for decades in building, trying to protect, and rebuilding Democratic majorities in the House of Representatives. This is a driver for her, that is compelling, consuming, and she’s made lots of sacrifice for that to happen. 

“So she’s going to be particularly sensitive to anything or anyone that could jeopardize that part this year,” Connolly added.