A CNN panel has expressed strong reactions to Nancy Pelosi's disclosure that she has not spoken to President Biden since his withdrawal from the Democratic presidential race, sparking speculation about tensions between the two Democratic leaders.
A CNN panel on Tuesday engaged in animated discussions following Nancy Pelosi's disclosure that she had not spoken to President Biden since his decision to drop out of the presidential race. The revelation prompted varying interpretations among the panelists, with some suggesting a potential rift between the Democratic leaders.
"Yikes," remarked CNN host Kasie Hunt, reacting to Pelosi's statement to CNN's Dana Bash on Monday that she had not communicated with Biden since his withdrawal announcement.
Pelosi's Revelations Draw Strong Reactions from CNN Panel
Several prominent Democrats, including Pelosi, were reportedly involved in efforts to persuade Biden to exit the race after a disappointing debate performance in June. Pelosi has denied any involvement in such a campaign.
"I don't know what the conversations were between her and the president during that time, but it seems that all of the reporting has been true, it seems that there is some bad blood there," observed Meghan Hays, a DNC convention consultant and former White House communications aide.
Pelosi's Revelations Draw Strong Reactions from CNN Panel
Hays suggested that Pelosi's decision to go public with this information could be an attempt to assert her authority within the Democratic Party. "She's also selling a book and I think she's also trying to say that she is very much in power of the Democratic Party. And that statement, I think, proves and goes forth with that, by saying that, it's very much showing that she is in charge here."
Elliot Williams, another CNN commentator, suggested Pelosi's responses to Bash's questions were carefully calculated. "It’s hard to imagine that someone who’s that disciplined a politician doesn‘t know exactly what she’s winking and nodding at there, and dropping the suggestion that they’re not speaking. Because there were many other ways to answer the question in that look, he’s the president of the United States, he’s a busy man. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet, but we will. But she didn‘t say that," Williams stated.
Pelosi's Revelations Draw Strong Reactions from CNN Panel
Bryan Lanza, a former director of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, drew a direct connection between Pelosi's actions and Biden's decision to withdraw. "I mean, she knocked him out of the race. I mean, 14 million people voted for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris made 1,800 phone calls and she’s the nominee for the Democratic Party. It clearly worked."
CNN's Stephen Collinson highlighted Pelosi's significant influence within the Democratic Party. "Nancy Pelosi is the key Democratic figure of the first 25 years of the 21st century. And she has extraordinary power and once again, she’s wielding it there," he said.
Pelosi's revelations have sparked a flurry of speculation about the nature of her relationship with Biden and its potential impact on the Democratic Party's unity in the upcoming election. The CNN panel's varied reactions underscore the complexity of the situation and the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the dynamics within the Democratic leadership.
