Pelosi: "I Did Not Directly Ask Biden to Step Down"

"I only demanded a winning election." Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is considered to have played a significant role in the withdrawal process of U.S. President Joe Biden's presidential candidacy, stated on the 5th (local time) that she did not directly ask President Biden to resign.

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Pelosi appeared on ABC's Good Morning America that day and said, "I did not ask him to step down." At 84 years old this year, she is regarded as a figure who exerts substantial influence behind the scenes despite having stepped down from Democratic leadership. It is known that Pelosi, a longtime ally, played a major role in President Biden's decision to withdraw his candidacy, even though he had strongly expressed his intention to complete the presidential race after his first TV debate defeat.

Regarding this, Pelosi said, "People said I was talking a lot," but "that was not the case. The only person I talked to was the President." She added, "Others called me to express their opinions on this issue, but I rarely answered," and "I never initiated a call myself."

She denied claims that she pressured President Biden to withdraw his candidacy by urging Democratic lawmakers behind the scenes. This is interpreted as a kind of explanation to 'guard' against her role being highlighted in President Biden's decision to forgo a re-election bid. Politico had previously reported that Pelosi had conversations with at least one Democratic House member and shared the view that President Biden should step down from the candidacy based on district-level polling.

That day, Pelosi emphasized that "in elections, decisions must be made to win," highlighting that the most important decision in such judgment is the 'candidate.' She also said that since she had left party leadership, it was easier to have conversations with President Biden about this. Praising Biden's achievements, she added, "We just hoped he would make a decision that would protect his legacy well," and "We also wanted to win."

In an interview with CBS News on the same day, Pelosi also emphasized that "I did not call a single person," denying that she led pressure on President Biden to resign his candidacy. She explained, "What I want to say is that whatever he decides, we need to run a more aggressive campaign." Regarding reports that President Biden was furious with her at the time, she responded, "Well, he knows that I love him very much."

Additionally, when asked whether former President Donald Trump’s choice of Senator J.D. Vance as the Republican vice-presidential candidate was a mistake, Pelosi said it was a "great choice," though she briefly burst into laughter. However, later in the interview, she described Senator Vance as a "threatening figure." Local media noted that while vice-presidential candidates typically see a rise in approval ratings after the convention, Vance’s ratings have actually declined due to various controversies, including his "cat lady" remarks.

Meanwhile, Pelosi’s interviews that day were conducted to promote her new book, The Art of Power. Reminiscent of former President Donald Trump’s book The Art of the Deal, Pelosi claims that Trump has serious mental health issues and emphasizes the role of leadership based on her experience of over 40 years as a U.S. House member. She also shared personal experiences, including major events during her tenure as Speaker such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the January 6 Capitol riot, as well as the attack on her husband at their San Francisco home.