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Pelosi Opens the Door

The speaker emerita quickly backpedaled her comments on MSNBC. But Democratic operatives, members, former members, and leadership aides all interpreted her remarks as cloud cover for members to speak their conscience about Biden.

nancy pelosi
Pelosi is not merely an elder Democratic stateswoman: She’s the only major player here who comes close to Biden’s stature. Photo: Damir Sencar/AFP/Getty Images
Abby Livingston
July 11, 2024

As the Biden campaign launched its taming-of-the-Hill campaign earlier this week, leaning on the president’s relationships to suppress a congressional revolt, Nancy Pelosi went dark. Her TV appearances slowed down, and during yesterday’s House Democratic caucus meeting, she remained quiet and in a listening posture as her colleagues debated the president’s future, according to a source in the room. So when word came that Pelosi planned to appear on Biden’s favorite show, Morning Joe, on Wednesday morning, it was clear she would be addressing an audience of one.