Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) appeared noticeably flustered on Tuesday as she struggled to deliver a coherent response about her involvement in pushing President Joe Biden out of the presidential race, raising concerns about her well-being among some viewers.
As President Biden’s departure approached last month, insiders noted the former House Speaker’s significant role in rallying Democratic leaders against Biden, presenting polls that suggested a loss to former President Donald Trump was nearly certain. When questioned about how Vice President Kamala Harris would serve as a better nominee, Pelosi gave a convoluted and hesitant response, mentioning topics such as assault rifles, COVID-19 vaccines, and “chips and science” without making a clear argument.
“Whether it’s well the first bill… the first bill… that protect, our, uh, uh…” she said, pointing to her shoulder. “Assault, uh, bill, uh,” prompting the host to find the word for her, replying “Covid.” That seems to reset Pelosi who continued, “Shots in the arm, money in the pockets, children in school, people that work, the infrastructure bill, building, building in a way that is respectful of communities, pe-… chips and science.” (see video below)
Pelosi, who is 84 years old, is three years senior to President Biden, who has faced scrutiny over his age following a lackluster debate performance against Trump that heightened concerns among his supporters. After the 2022 elections, Pelosi stepped down from her role as House leader but remains a significant player in the 2024 election landscape. Alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, and former President Obama, Pelosi is believed to have influenced Biden’s decision to step aside, facilitating Harris’s path to the Democratic nomination.
Pelosi resigned from her party leadership role a month after a man broke into her San Francisco home and attacked her husband with a hammer while he was asleep. Paul Pelosi suffered severe head injuries and was hospitalized after the attack by a conspiracy theorist, who was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison. Alexandria Pelosi, their daughter and a documentary filmmaker, described the incident as a wake-up call for her mother, highlighting the importance of family.
“Was this all worth it? For my family? What we went through?” she said of her mother’s 35 years in the House, Forbes reported at the time. “My parents would say yes . . . But for the family, the families are the ones that pay the highest price for this kind of life.”
Despite the sympathy Pelosi and her husband received after the attack, she remains one of the most polarizing figures in recent political history. Republicans continue to target vulnerable Democrats associated with Pelosi while distancing themselves from the unpopular Biden administration. For example, Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK) of Alaska recently received a rare endorsement from the National Rifle Association and highlights her opposition to aspects of the president’s agenda, including Second Amendment protections and a federal assault weapons ban.
WATCH:
What is wrong with Pelosi?? pic.twitter.com/VTGVv0FAjD
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