Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has refrained from taking a stand regarding President Joe Biden’s possible participation in the 2024 presidential race, stating that it was “up to” him. In an interview with MSNBC on Wednesday, Pelosi emphasized the importance of time, encouraging President Biden to make his decision soon.
Pelosi’s stance comes at a critical juncture for Biden to garner support, and her backing would have been significant given her former role as House speaker. However, she has decided to delay any conversation about Biden’s future until after the NATO summit he is hosting from Tuesday to Thursday in Washington. On Thursday, Biden will appear at his first press conference since his debate performance that has been widely criticized for its stumbles and ramblings.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has offered cautious support for Biden, while progressives have voiced their backing more vocally. Swing-state Democrats have been less enthusiastic about Biden’s prospects, with at least six of them publicly calling for him to step aside.
Pelosi’s comments in July raised questions about Biden’s future as she questioned whether his faltering debate performance was an isolated incident or a symptom of a larger issue. During the debate, Biden struggled to complete his thoughts and made outlandish claims, such as stating that no troops died on his watch, forgetting the 13 American troops killed in Afghanistan during his administration’s withdrawal in August 2021.