(Rightallegiance.com) – In a candid discussion on “The Interview” podcast with Lulu Garcia-Navarro of The New York Times, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared her views on the strategic timing of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 Democratic primary. Pelosi, a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, suggested that Biden’s decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris instead of opening the race earlier limited the potential for other candidates to step forward.
Reflecting on the scenario, Pelosi remarked, “Had the president gotten out sooner, there may have been other candidates in the race.” She explained that if Biden had stepped aside earlier, it could have led to a more open Democratic primary, allowing other prominent figures to contend for the nomination. The former Speaker expressed confidence in Harris’s capabilities but hinted that a primary might have provided an even stronger outcome for the party.
Pelosi further elaborated on the timing of Biden’s endorsement and the effect it had on the race. “The anticipation was that, if the president were to step aside, there would be an open primary,” Pelosi noted, suggesting that the president’s endorsement of Harris, which came within an hour of his withdrawal announcement on July 21, had quickly solidified her standing. The rapid succession from endorsement to nomination left little room for other potential contenders, as Harris was able to swiftly secure the backing of a majority of Democratic National Committee delegates.
“And as I say, Kamala may have, I think she would have done well in [a primary] and been stronger going forward. But we don’t know that. That didn’t happen. We live with what happened,” Pelosi stated. Reflecting on the impact of Biden’s swift endorsement of Harris, she added, “If it had been much earlier, it would have been different.”
Fox News Digital reached out to both Biden and the Harris campaign for comments regarding Pelosi’s remarks, but no statements were issued before the article’s publication.
Pelosi has consistently argued that the process remained open to other candidates, despite the timing of Biden’s endorsement. In an August interview with The Wall Street Journal, Pelosi reiterated her belief that the primary process was accessible, even if no other major candidate ultimately entered. “Many of us who were concerned about the election wanted to have an open process. It was an open process; anyone could have gotten in,” she emphasized.
In the same interview, Pelosi reflected on Harris’s strategy, calling it politically astute: “Harris had the endorsement of the president, and she, politically astutely, took advantage of it and shut down — not shut down, but won the nomination. But anybody else could have gotten in.” Her remarks underscore Harris’s swift and effective approach in securing the nomination with Biden’s endorsement firmly behind her.
In another discussion on The View in September, Pelosi repeated that the opportunity for an open primary had existed. “I was one of the earlier endorsers of any of the leaders, right? Within 24 hours,” Pelosi said, noting her early support for Harris. She expressed contentment with the speed of the process, adding, “No, I didn’t change my mind. We had an open primary, and [Harris] won it. Nobody else got in the race.”
Reflecting on the circumstances that led to Harris’s uncontested bid, Pelosi noted that Harris’s rapid consolidation of support may have been beneficial given the relatively short timeline leading up to the general election. “It was a blessing because there was not that much time between then and the election, and it sort of saved time,” Pelosi added.
The “Interview” podcast episode featuring Pelosi will be released Saturday, where she dives deeper into the 2024 Democratic primary and the pivotal decisions made by key figures, including President Biden and Vice President Harris, as they navigate the challenges of the election cycle.