Pelosi favored an open convention over a Harris coronation after Biden withdrew from presidential race

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: It seems former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had different plans after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. The California Democrat was reportedly in favor of an open convention instead of a coronation for Vice President Kamala Harris, with whom she is said to have major reservations.

In a recent interview, Pelosi provided a sneak peek into the current dynamics within the Democratic Party as Biden withdrew from the race.

She clarified her preference for an "open process" to determine Biden's successor, before noting how Harris swiftly and "politically astutely" capitalized on the situation.

Relationship between Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris 

Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris both hail from California, but they are not close.

The distance in their relationship can be traced back to 2010 when Harris first ran for California Attorney General. At that time, Pelosi endorsed a rival candidate. Reportedly, the tension between them persisted even as both women ascended to powerful positions within the Democratic Party.

When President Biden decided to withdraw from the 2024 race, Pelosi favored an open convention rather than a coronation for Harris, with whom she, as mentioned, had serious reservations.

Pelosi revealed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, "Many of us who were concerned about the election wanted to have an open process. It was an open process, anyone could have gotten in."

The pressure on Biden to exit the race had been mounting for weeks, and by July he decided to step aside. However, his swift endorsement of Harris raised eyebrows, particularly among those who suspected that Pelosi might have influenced his departure.

While Pelosi has denied any direct involvement in Biden's decision to withdraw, she has admitted to being concerned about his campaign's political operations.

She even relayed concerns from other House Democrats to the White House, warning that Biden's struggles were jeopardizing their own campaigns.

Regardless, Harris emerged as the frontrunner within no time. "[Harris] had the endorsement of the president, and she, politically astutely, took advantage of it and shut down — not shut down, but won the nomination," Pelosi commented. "But anybody else could have gotten in."

Nancy Pelosi's support for Kamala Harris and Biden's resentment

There has been considerable speculation that Joe Biden's rapid endorsement of Kamala Harris was partly aimed at preempting any opposition from Nancy Pelosi, who had reportedly pressured Biden to exit the race.

Nonetheless, Pelosi did eventually lend her support to the vice president shortly after Biden's announcement.

In her interview with the Journal, Pelosi reflected on the unexpected turn of events at the Democratic National Convention.

"The convention is, of course, a different one than was envisioned one month ago, and it’s one that is going to be enthusiastically attended," she said, while crediting Biden for the smooth transition.

"He made the decision about how we would proceed, and I respect him for the decision. His selflessness is something that the American people admire greatly, and the reaction that people have had to it, I hope, is satisfying to him in return," she said.

Throughout this time, Pelosi was repeatedly questioned about her role in Biden's decision to step aside. While she denied orchestrating a pressure campaign, she did admit in a CNN interview with Jake Tapper that she acted out of concern for the party's future.

"You know what?" Pelosi said. "I had to do what I had to do. He made the decision for the country. My concern was not about the president, it was about his campaign. As he has seen with the exuberance, the excitement that has come forth in our country."

Despite reassurances that the Bidens have "moved on" from the situation, there are reports of lingering resentment. Biden is reportedly displeased with the roles powerful Democrats—like Pelosi and former President Barack Obama—played in his departure from the race.

The tension escalated when actor George Clooney, a close friend of Obama, penned a critical op-ed in The New York Times urging Biden to step aside. According to some insiders, this move transformed Biden's frustration into outright anger.

Kamala Harris's campaign and the road ahead

As the Democratic Party rallies behind Kamala Harris with only 70 days left until the election, it still faces internal challenges. The way Harris secured the nomination, without a single primary vote in her favor, has sparked criticism from those who believe the party has drifted away from its pro-democracy values.

Moreover, the decision by Harris to hold a campaign rally in Milwaukee—90 miles away from where the Obamas were addressing the convention—was seen as a deliberate attempt to distance herself from the ongoing drama.

According to insiders, Harris's absence was due to a desire to show respect for Biden, who was still grappling with his abrupt exit, the Daily Mail reported.