The discussion among Democratic leaders about President Joe Biden’s potential second term candidacy briefly paused after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. According to Politico, significant movements are now underway behind the scenes among prominent Democratic figures.
In a Politico Magazine article by Jonathan Martin, the focus is on the concern within Democratic circles over Biden’s performance in presidential debates. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), whose remarks on Biden’s candidacy have been closely analyzed for their implications, has reportedly been actively exploring options for Biden to step aside:
Pelosi, convinced of Biden’s potential electoral defeat, has been engaged in extensive phone calls since June 27, seeking ways to facilitate his withdrawal from the ticket. Her efforts have included discreet but visible conversations, such as one observed with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the House Democratic cloakroom.
The extent of Pelosi’s role behind the scenes remains largely undisclosed and may stay that way, per sources familiar with the discussions. Reports indicate she has orchestrated conversations with key Democratic figures, strategized on next steps, and expressed concerns about Biden’s impact on the party’s future.
CNN also reported Pelosi’s involvement in discussions with former President Barack Obama regarding Biden, although specific details of their private conversations have not been disclosed.
It’s worth taking a step back to consider this extraordinary moment. Biden’s own congressional allies are attempting to oust him from their ticket and the backstage campaign has been orchestrated in part by the most successful legislator of the era, the president’s longtime ally and the person he called “my Catholic sister.”
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, convinced Biden will lose, has been working the phones since June 27 in hopes of finding a way to ease him off the ticket.
One of her colleagues was struck to see her chatting, furtively but openly, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries last week in a corner of the House Democratic cloakroom in plain sight of a dozen lawmakers.
The extent of Pelosi’s behind-the-scenes role hasn’t been fully revealed and may never be if the former speaker has her way. But I’m told by people familiar with the exchanges that she’s stage-managed phone calls to Jeffries, plotted strategies with the biggest names in Democratic politics and told one former elected official that Biden’s legacy can’t be destroying the party.
