Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has praised President Biden's decision not to run for re-election, suggesting it is worthy of placing him on Mount Rushmore.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has lauded President Biden for his decision not to seek re-election in 2024, going so far as to suggest that he could join the ranks of the nation's most revered presidents on Mount Rushmore.
In an interview with CBS journalist Lesley Stahl, Pelosi dismissed reports that she had led efforts to remove Biden from the presidential ticket following his lackluster performance in the 2020 debate against then-President Donald Trump. Instead, she praised Biden's leadership, describing him as "at the top of his game" before he made his decision to step down.
Nancy Pelosi Suggests Biden's Decision Not to Run is Mount Rushmore-Worthy
Pelosi's effusive remarks extended to Biden's potential status as a Mount Rushmore president. When asked if she believed Biden belonged alongside the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, Pelosi replied, "Well, you got Teddy Roosevelt up there, and he's wonderful. I don't say take him down. But you can add Biden."
Pelosi's suggestion drew both praise and criticism. Some commentators lauded her for recognizing Biden's accomplishments, while others dismissed her comments as hyperbole.
Nancy Pelosi Suggests Biden's Decision Not to Run is Mount Rushmore-Worthy
Despite the varied reactions, Pelosi's remarks underscore her admiration for Biden and her belief that his legacy will continue to grow in the years to come.
However, Pelosi insisted that she played no role in pressuring Biden to abandon his re-election bid. "I wasn't the leader of any pressure [campaign]," she told Stahl. "I could always say to him, ‘I never called anybody.'"
Nancy Pelosi Suggests Biden's Decision Not to Run is Mount Rushmore-Worthy
In the days leading up to Biden's announcement, reports emerged suggesting that Pelosi had privately urged him to step aside due to concerns that he would lose to Trump in a rematch. However, Pelosi publicly maintained her support for Biden, emphasizing that the decision to seek re-election was ultimately up to him.
Pelosi's praise for Biden's decision not to run for re-election adds further context to her previous comments about his presidency. In an interview with MSNBC, she described Biden as "beloved" and "respected" within the Democratic caucus.
Whether Biden's legacy will ultimately warrant a place on Mount Rushmore remains to be seen. However, Pelosi's remarks indicate that she believes he will go down in history as one of the nation's most consequential presidents.
