Janice R. Andrews
An unexpected turn of events saw former Speaker Nancy Pelosi storm the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night and give President Joe Biden lots of praise. But her thanks had a deeper meaning than meets the eye, because she played a key role in Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential run.
Pelosi said, “Thank you, Joe,” and her words echoed through the gathering hall. “He set up one of the most successful presidencies in modern history.” But for people who knew what was going on behind the scenes, Pelosi’s nice words covered up the drama and stress that had built up in the days before Biden’s shocking decision to drop out of the race.
What Pelosi Did to Cause Biden to Step Down
It’s impossible to overstate how important Pelosi was in Biden’s choice to step down. Behind closed doors, the former Speaker gave the President a very clear choice. Pelosi made it clear on Saturday, just one day before Biden made his public announcement, that she was ready to tell everyone that she didn’t think Biden would be able to beat former President Donald Trump in November if he didn’t drop out of the race. Pelosi took a chance with this move because she has been a strong supporter of Biden for many years. But it also showed that people in the Democratic Party were getting more and more worried about Biden’s chances of becoming a candidate.
Biden, who is 81 years old, shocked the political world when he quit the race on Sunday. “I made my choice by myself.” When reporters asked Biden if he was still mad at Pelosi, he said, “No one knew it was coming.” Even though he said something in public, it’s clear that Pelosi’s help was what made him decide what he did.
Biden’s anger still lingers
Pelosi may have meant for her public support of Biden at the convention to heal the split, but it may be too little, too late. People often hold grudges against the Biden family, especially First Lady Jill Biden. Some people close to the government say that the Bidens are still very angry at Pelosi for her part in getting Biden to drop out of the race. Anita Dunn, who used to be Biden’s communications director, made a sharp comment about this tension at her goodbye party: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
The fact that Pelosi chose to run against Biden shows how complicated the political situation is. She knew how important the 2024 election was and how the party and the country needed a leader who could bring everyone together. But by doing that, she might have upset a strong political family with a long history.
What’s Next for the Democratic Party?
Now that Biden is out of the race, all eyes are on Vice President Kamala Harris. In her speech at the gathering, Pelosi called Harris a “leader of strength and wisdom.” Pelosi talked about Harris’s political savvy and dedication to working for women’s rights by saying, “I have known Kamala Harris for decades.” Pelosi’s support for Harris, who quickly won the Democratic nomination, marks a new beginning for the party.
Pelosi’s comments also showed how much power she still has in the party. Even though she stopped being head of the House last year, she still has a lot of power and influence. At the gathering, Democrats wore pins with her picture on them that said “Godmother.” This was meant to honour her powerful role in Democratic politics. As the evening’s host, Mindy Kaling introduced Pelosi as the “mother of dragons,” a nod to the strong queen from the TV show “Game of Thrones.”
A Tense Moment for Pelosi and Biden
At the gathering, you could feel the strain between Biden and Pelosi. Monday, Pelosi sat in the front row of the California group and waved a “We heart Joe” sign while Biden spoke to the crowd. But it was clear that things were awkward. Biden left Chicago for California after his speech. He is spending the week alone with his family in California.
Pelosi, on the other hand, used her position to bring the party together and guide it towards the future. She praised Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who used to work with her in the House, and brought up the attack on the Capitol on January 6 to show how important the next election is. “Let us not forget who attacked democracy on January 6.” Yes, he did. But let’s not forget the person who that day saved democracy. “We did,” Pelosi said, making it clear that the Democratic Party is not the same as Donald Trump.
What to Expect in November
The drama over Biden’s resignation and Pelosi’s part in it is likely to keep happening as the Democratic Party goes into the last few weeks before the election in November. “Onwards to victory!” was Pelosi’s stirring cry at the end of her speech. With Harris in charge, it’s still not clear if the party can come together behind this call.
The events of this week will have a big impact on the Democratic Party’s plan and unity in the coming months. For the Bidens, the tension with Pelosi may be simmering below the surface. This is a reminder of how important it is to make tough choices at the top levels of politics.
