In the corridors of Washington, D.C., whispers of concern about President Joe Biden’s re-election bid have grown louder. With key Democratic figures expressing doubt over Biden’s viability in the 2024 presidential race, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has emerged as a pivotal figure in these discreet discussions.
A House Democrat, who spoke anonymously, described a revealing conversation with Pelosi. The lawmaker recounted Pelosi’s inquiries about district-level polling and her openness to concerns about Biden’s electability. The impression left was clear: Pelosi, while not directly advocating for Biden’s withdrawal, seemed to believe that a change at the top of the ticket might be necessary. “She’s the political voice of the Democratic caucus right now,” the Democrat noted.
This sentiment is echoed by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a close ally of Pelosi and a prominent figure in the Democratic Party. In a candid statement, Schiff urged Biden to “pass the torch,” citing concerns about the president’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump. “A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy,” Schiff warned, emphasizing the high stakes of the upcoming election.
Pelosi’s behind-the-scenes efforts have not gone unnoticed. Her acumen as a strategist, honed over decades in leadership, is once again at play as she navigates the complex dynamics of the Democratic caucus. With key allies like Schiff vocalizing what many Democrats privately fear, Pelosi’s influence is subtly steering the conversation toward considering alternatives to Biden.
One Democratic aide remarked, “Nancy Pelosi has one of the strongest cases to make. She stepped down and passed the torch.” This move, the aide suggested, positions Pelosi as a credible voice to advocate for generational change within the party.
The landscape is undeniably fraught, with Biden’s candidacy casting a long shadow over the party’s prospects. Pelosi, ever the practical strategist, appears to be laying the groundwork for a potential shift, ensuring that the Democratic Party remains competitive in a high-stakes election. As one Democratic lawmaker put it, Pelosi might be “the experienced political leader tasked with saving Democrats up and down the ballot from a decisive defeat.”
