CHICAGO — In the recent political drama that led to a new Democratic presidential nominee, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has been portrayed in various lights, either as a heroine who took bold steps to safeguard her party’s prospects or as a villain who coldly and recklessly removed an incumbent president.
As she addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday night, Pelosi, a two-time House Speaker who had surrendered her leadership role last year after assisting Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden in their legislative pursuits, was welcomed as a notable figure.
In her concise speech, Pelosi reflected on former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, which culminated in the Capitol riots on the day Biden’s victory was confirmed by Congress. “Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on Jan. 6: He did,” she asserted. “The parable of Jan. 6 reminds us that our democracy is only as strong as the courage and commitment of those entrusted with its care, and we must choose leaders who believe in free and fair elections, who respect the peaceful transfer of power.” She concluded with a clear statement: “The choice couldn’t be clearer.”
Though there may be some apprehension about this convention, which was intended to reaffirm Biden’s candidacy for a second term, it primarily concerns a limited group of party insiders whose relationships were strained when Biden was replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee.
Pelosi played a key role in that shift. After Biden maintained his campaign despite a poor debate performance against Trump in June, she indicated that he needed to reconsider his decision. As Biden faced increasing skepticism from Democratic circles, Pelosi’s allies urged him to withdraw from the race, expressing concerns that his candidacy might jeopardize the party’s chances of retaining the House.
The underlying message for Democrats is that their main objective is defeating Trump, and many believe that Pelosi’s actions positioned them more favorably to achieve that goal. Biden experienced that support when he secured the party’s nomination in 2020 while facing minimal opposition in 2024, until a faction of Democrats, including Pelosi, judged he was no longer their best option.
“With love and respect for Joe Biden, she kept us in the game,” stated Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., a longtime ally of Pelosi, just hours before her speech. “She did the right thing.”
Pelosi’s pressure on Biden coincided with public dissent from friends of Obama, leading to personal disappointment for Biden at a time when he believed he could recover from his debate, aimed at winning reelection. Major Democratic donor John Morgan noted Pelosi’s emotional turmoil regarding the situation, saying she “genuinely loves Joe Biden.”
At the convention, Mitch Landrieu, former New Orleans mayor and a senior adviser in Biden’s administration, refrained from commenting on whether Pelosi’s actions warranted praise or blame. “The torch has been passed,” he remarked, emphasizing a focus on the future.
As Democrats pushed Biden to withdraw from the race over the past three weeks, he and his allies grew increasingly offended. Having successfully contested Trump in 2020, advanced critical policies on infrastructure and climate change, and conducted himself with dignity as president, Biden was hurt by the doubts about his capacity to bounce back, especially when many believed calls for his exit were spurred by Pelosi and other party figures.
Anita Dunn, a seasoned Biden adviser, criticized Pelosi for failing to secure the House during the 2022 midterms, indicating that some party leaders who decided to go public with their dissent enabled further public pressure on Biden.
The question remains whether Pelosi and Obama led to the ousting of a president who clung to power or inadvertently created a narrative that Biden was incapable of winning. This question may only be resolved after the votes are cast in November.
Currently, Pelosi is regarded as a pivotal figure within the Democratic Party, both as a guiding force and as a key power broker. Comedian Mindy Kaling introduced her at the convention, dubbing her “the mother of dragons,” echoing the powerful queen in “Game of Thrones.”
“The ethos of the party and here at this convention is there is no more paramount goal than ensuring Donald Trump comes nowhere near the Oval Office again — everything else is secondary to that,” stated Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. Pelosi embodied that sentiment and acted upon it.
The warm reception Pelosi received suggests that delegates have largely set aside grievances in pursuit of the overarching goal of defeating Trump and regaining congressional control. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, noted the mixed feelings may exist, but the grassroots Democrats remained loyal, rallying behind Harris as the new electoral standard-bearer.
“You know, she did what she thought was best for the situation,” said Alex Davis, a delegate from Portland, Oregon. “Given her experience, she felt very comfortable in the position that she took.”
After delivering a lengthy speech on the convention’s opening night focused on his legacy and the support for Harris, Biden departed before both Obama and Pelosi spoke, although both praised his presidency. “History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” Obama remarked, expressing his pride both in Biden as president and as a friend.
Pelosi’s address reiterated Biden’s accomplishments, thanking him for “one of the most successful presidencies of modern times.” Their comments seemed aimed at mending the rifts that arose during the shifts in party leadership, suggesting that the delegates and most Democrats believe Pelosi’s maneuvers were ultimately in their best interests.
“I’ve just never heard a complaint from someone who’s not in power about Nancy Pelosi,” Schatz concluded. “These are some principals and some operatives having a disagreement about tactics and strategy. That doesn’t mean that those feelings aren’t hurt. It’s just that they don’t reverberate in any way that would affect the vote.”