It seems Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, has little faith in President Biden’s political future. She has been reportedly expressing her doubts to the President and fellow House Democrats about his likelihood of outmatching Donald J. Trump. No stranger to the intricate workings of political campaigns, Pelosi has been advising Biden based on her keen understanding of the electoral landscape, polling statistics, and fund-raising metrics.
Pelosi’s incessant pessimism has reportedly filtered through phone calls with a concerned Biden and House colleagues seeking her counsel. With years of experience monitoring House races at the grassroots level, Pelosi draws on her insight to back up her less than cheerful outlook on Biden’s current position as a candidate.
An interesting episode unfolded during a conversation between Pelosi and Biden, with Pelosi challenging Biden’s claims of promising polling results. ‘Put Donilon on the phone’ she demanded, invoking the name of Mike Donilon, Biden’s longstanding aid — a narrative further supported by an earlier report by CNN.
The challenges didn’t end at polling data; Pelosi’s aides also requested profound fund-raising facts from Biden’s campaign in recent times. All this effort aimed at providing Pelosi the ammunition she needed to comment on the feasibility of Biden’s campaign, which, spoiler alert, she deemed less than promising.
According to a close colleague of Pelosi, who preferred to remain anonymous, she is firm in her belief that Biden doesn’t stand a chance. The reluctance shown by the sources for this article speaks volumes about the intense internal discussions and uncertainty surrounding Biden’s future as a candidate.
Pelosi’s concerns extend beyond losing more seats to Democrats or remaining in the House minority. An implied fear is the potential havoc another Trump administration could wreak. Her anxiety seems rooted in the possibility of Trump dismantling her significant legislative accomplishments of many years, including the Affordable Care Act.
Pelosi, in her push for a reconsideration of Biden’s candidacy, finds common ground with Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Majority Leader from New York, and House Democratic leader, Representative Hakeem Jeffries. This trio appears to signal Mr. Biden amidst growing concerns among the congressional Democrats about his ability to win the forthcoming election and save them from minority status in the Congress.
In individual conversations held last week, Schumer and Jeffries collated the apprehensions of their colleagues — many now suggesting Biden should retire to protect not only his own political legacy but their own political standing too. Details of these conversations remain guarded, but the discontent towards Biden among Democrats is hard to deny.
Jeffries held a private meeting with President Biden recently, from which one thing is clear — the Democrats’ alarm bells are ringing loud and clear. Jeffries had a candid conversation with Biden, encapsulating the insights, perspectives, and conclusions shared among his colleagues about the proverbial ‘path forward.’
Although Pelosi is not formally in a leadership role, her significant influence within the party cannot be denied. Many Democrats view her as a necessary piece in resolving Biden’s current predicament. Getting on in years, she has been subject to her own criticism regarding her attempts to hold onto her power, but her keen political acumen remains widely acknowledged.
Pelosi’s own journey has been marked with resistance from her party members who questioned her decision to hold onto power despite her advancing years. Rebounding from a revolt which aimed to obstruct her return as Speaker following the 2018 House majority win for the Democrats, she has weathered storms of her own.
When the Democrats unfortunately fell from the House majority in 2022, Pelosi wrestled with the idea of retaining leadership. However, unlike Biden who struggles with letting go, she gracefully stepped down, making way for Hakeem Jeffries and a new wave of leaders.
Presiding over her own generational transition, Pelosi now believes Biden should follow suit by stepping aside. One can understand her reasoning — she has been in the same position and knows the value of letting fresh leadership take the reins in politically trying times.
Pelosi Challenges Biden’s Political Future appeared first on Real News Now.
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