While earlier reports indicated that Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) played a significant role in undermining then-President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, a new book sheds further light on the extent of her efforts to keep then-Vice President Kamala Harris off the Democratic ticket.
During his Tuesday show monologue, Fox News host Jesse Watters referenced the book “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle For the White House,” authored by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, which details Pelosi’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Watters shared a clip of Parnes discussing Pelosi’s reaction after witnessing Biden’s poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump. Parnes noted, “She watches the debate, feels unhappy, and thinks that Democrats shouldn’t rush into any decisions because she fears that if they do, Kamala will be the nominee, and she doesn’t believe Kamala Harris can win. She finds herself in a difficult position.”
Watters then played a clip of Allen, who stated, “Her perspective was that Biden needed to step aside, and Harris was a disaster. She was trying to ensure Biden left the race in time for the Democrats to select someone other than Harris.”
“Kamala won’t be pleased when she hears this, but Joe Biden is likely more upset with Pelosi,” Watters remarked. “According to ‘Fight,’ after the fallout, ‘Biden was on Air Force One with friends, naming those he would never forgive for their betrayal. The first name he mentioned was Nancy Pelosi. Biden and Pelosi may never speak again.’”
He then shared another clip of Parnes, who said, “There’s still significant tension between the two. She went on another network and essentially twisted the knife, leaving him and his campaign aides in shock. She had her fingerprints all over this situation. The campaign was aware, he was aware, and I don’t think there will be any reconciliation.”
Watters added, “But Pelosi was correct; Biden didn’t have what it took, and neither did Kamala. She spent three months and $2 billion failing, all while believing she was succeeding.”
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He concluded with a final clip of Parnes, who told a CNN panel, “They were completely blindsided by the events on election night. They thought they were going to win, and when they learned they were losing in the final hours, there was total silence and disbelief.”
The co-authors also revealed that Pelosi had secretly advised Biden against debating Trump altogether. In the days leading up to Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, there was a behind-the-scenes conflict between his team and Democratic Party members, including Pelosi.
Biden’s lackluster performance led to a loss of confidence among other Democrats, ultimately resulting in his decision to exit the race.
“Joe Biden was eager to debate,” Allen explained. “He relished the opportunity. You’ve heard him say things like, ‘I want to meet him behind the schoolyard.’ He was keen on the debate.”
He continued, “Pelosi approached him, appealing to his ego, saying, ‘You shouldn’t lower yourself, you shouldn’t diminish the presidency by engaging with Donald Trump.’ She would tell him, ‘Don’t roll around in the mud.’ Remember, she despises Trump… She emphasized that this would lower his stature, knowing that might resonate with him.”
Allen suggested that Pelosi likely did not believe Biden could hold his own in a debate against Trump. “If she thought Biden could win a debate against Donald Trump, she would have been encouraging him to participate,” he said.
