Short Summary
In July 2024, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly informed President Joe Biden that
polling data indicated he could not defeat Donald Trump in the November
2024 presidential election and that his continued candidacy might jeopardize Democrats' chances of winning the House of Representatives, according to reporting from CNN and the New York Post. This significant conversation occurred in the aftermath of Biden's widely criticized
June 27 debate performance, with sources characterizing Biden as "defensive" during the exchange, asserting he had seen alternative polling showing a path to victory and bringing adviser Mike Donilon into the discussion. The conversation emerged amid broader Democratic leadership concerns, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly encouraging Biden to step aside and the Democratic National Committee confirming a delay in Biden's virtual nomination, while the White House maintained that "President Biden is the nominee of the party" and "plans to win."
Long Summary
Intro
In July 2024, multiple news outlets reported that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately told President Joe Biden that
polling indicated he could not defeat Donald Trump in the November
2024 presidential election. According to reporting from CNN and the New York Post, Pelosi warned Biden that his continued candidacy might damage Democrats' prospects of winning the House of Representatives. This conversation between two prominent Democratic figures represents a significant moment in the 2024 presidential campaign, occurring after Biden's widely criticized
debate performance against Trump on June 27, 2024.
Timeline of Events
Based on the reporting from CNN and the New York Post, the following timeline can be established:- June 27, 2024: Biden's debate performance against Trump raises concerns among Democrats- Early July 2024: First post-debate conversation between Pelosi and Biden takes place- Mid-July 2024: Second Pelosi-Biden conversation occurs where polling concerns are raised- July 18, 2024: CNN and New York Post report on the private Pelosi-Biden discussion- July 18, 2024: Democratic National Committee confirms delaying virtual nomination of Biden at Schumer's requestCNN reported that a Pelosi spokesperson stated the former Speaker "has been in California since Friday [July 12] and has not spoken to Biden since," providing context for when the reported conversation might have occurred.
Key Points from the Pelosi-Biden Conversation
According to sources cited by both CNN and the New York Post, the conversation included several critical exchanges:
Polling Assessment
Pelosi reportedly presented Biden with polling data indicating:- Current polling showed Trump leading Biden- Data suggested Biden's candidacy could adversely affect down-ballot Democratic candidates- House majority control might be jeopardized if Biden remained at the top of the ticket
Biden's Response
Multiple sources characterized Biden's reaction as "defensive," with the President reportedly:- Asserting he had seen alternative polling data showing a path to victory- Maintaining confidence in his ability to defeat Trump- Bringing his longtime adviser Mike Donilon into the conversation to discuss polling methodology and resultsAccording to CNN, "At one point, Pelosi asked Mike Donilon, Biden's longtime adviser, to get on the line to talk over the data."
Democratic Leadership Response
The Pelosi-Biden conversation was part of a broader pattern of concerns expressed by Democratic Party leadership:
Congressional Democratic Positions
According to the New York Post's reporting:- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly encouraged Biden to step aside, making what ABC News described as a "forceful case" for Biden to withdraw- Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) publicly called for Biden to "pass the torch"- By mid-July 2024, 21 Democratic members of Congress had publicly urged Biden to end his campaign
DNC Procedural Developments
The New York Post reported that "The Democratic National Committee confirmed Wednesday morning it was delaying plans to virtually nominate Biden for a second term — after Schumer privately asked fellow party leaders for more time to deliberate."
Succession Considerations
The New York Post included reporting on discussions regarding potential succession scenarios:
Biden's View on Harris
According to a senior Democratic adviser quoted by the New York Post, Biden's perspective on Vice President Kamala Harris had evolved:"He's gone from saying 'Kamala can't win' to 'Do you think Kamala can win?'" the adviser told CNN, according to the Post's reporting.The Post also noted: "It's unclear whether Biden would favor Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him if he suspends his campaign, but 'private conversations' between the White House and Capitol Hill were showing that he was more 'receptive' to a replacement candidate."
Electoral Implications for 2024 Presidential Race
The Pelosi-Biden conversation occurred at a critical juncture in the 2024 presidential campaign:
Campaign Timeline Considerations
- With less than four months until the November 5, 2024 election, any candidate change would face significant logistical challenges- Questions about ballot access, campaign infrastructure, and donor confidence complicated potential alternatives- The approaching Democratic National Convention created additional time pressure for resolution
Congressional Races and Down-Ballot Effects
A central element of Pelosi's reported concern involved implications for House races:
House Majority Focus
According to CNN, Pelosi told Biden that "polling shows that the president cannot defeat Donald Trump and that Biden could destroy Democrats' chances of winning the House in November if he continues seeking a second term."This focus on House races reflects Pelosi's role as former Speaker and her ongoing influence in Democratic House leadership.
White House Response
When contacted for comment, both outlets cited White House spokesperson Andrew Bates providing a statement:"President Biden is the nominee of the party. He plans to win and looks forward to working with congressional Democrats to pass his 100-days agenda to help working families."A Pelosi spokesperson told CNN: "Speaker Pelosi respects the confidentiality of her meetings and conversations with the president of the United States. Sadly, the feeding frenzy from the press based on anonymous sources misrepresents any conversations the speaker may have had with the president."Articles Analyzed:
CNN and
NY Post*There may be errors on this page.
