Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave a not-so-definitive answer late Wednesday when pressed if Vice President Kamala Harris is the best running mate for President Biden in 2024.
“He thinks so, and that’s what matters,” she told “Anderson Cooper 360” on CNN.
Mrs. Pelosi, a California Democrat who recently said she would run for reelection, swiftly pivoted to praising Ms. Harris.
“She’s very politically astute. I don’t think people give her enough credit,” she said. “She’s, of course, values-based, consistent with the president’s values and the rest.”
Mrs. Pelosi said Ms. Harris has represented the country well “at home and abroad” and said people sometimes misunderstand the nature of the vice presidency.
“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,” Mrs. Pelosi said. “You know, you, you’re a source of strength, inspiration, intellectual resource.”
The former speaker weighed in as Mr. Biden faces a closer-than-expected race in 2024.
The incumbent is weighed down by economic worries and angst about Mr. Biden’s age, at 80.
The situation is raising speculation among columnists and pundits that Mr. Biden could drop out late or switch out his running mate.
Ms. Harris, meanwhile, has been dogged by low approval ratings but is trying to gain momentum by focusing on abortion rights and appealing to young voters.
She will embark Friday on a multistate college tour that features lively events with students.
Mrs. Pelosi says next year’s election is too important for Democrats to fall short.
“I think nothing less is at stake than our democracy in this election,” Mrs. Pelosi said. “You hear that in the country. You hear that globally. And we have to remove all doubt that our democracy is strong.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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