Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (R-Calif.) declined to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the optimal choice for President Joe Biden‘s running mate.
What Happened: In response to a question about Harris’ suitability for the vice presidency during an interview with CNN, Pelosi stated, “He [Biden] thinks so. And that's what matters.”
Despite acknowledging Harris’ political acumen and undervalued contributions, Pelosi did not definitively endorse her as the best running mate for Biden.
However, Pelosi called Harris a “politically astute” and said the V.P. doesn't get the credit she deserves.
“She's the Vice President of the United States. And when people say to me, ‘well, why isn't she doing this or that?' I say, ‘Because she's the vice president. That's the job description. You don't do that much,'” Pelosi explained.
Why It Matters: These remarks by Pelosi come amidst a backdrop of mixed public opinions on Harris’s performance as vice president. A poll conducted by The New York Times/Siena College last month indicated that Democratic voters were more excited about the prospect of Harris leading the presidential ticket in 2024 than Biden.
However, on the other hand, criticisms have been leveled against Harris’s performance in office, with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley challenging Harris’ supporters to point out a significant achievement during her tenure.
Despite all the criticism, Harris has repeatedly shown her readiness for a second term with Biden and to take over as president if needed.
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