(NewsNation) — While former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., didn’t directly confirm her support for President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 election, she noted that “time is running short” as Biden faces pressure from some party members to end his reelection campaign.
When asked Wednesday by MSNBC “Morning Joe” co-host Jonathan Lemire if Biden had her support to lead the Democrats, Pelosi didn’t provide a direct answer.
“It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short. I think overwhelming support of the caucus — it’s not for me to say, I’m not the head of the caucus anymore — but, he’s beloved, he is respected, and people want him to make that decision,” Pelosi responded.
Lemire then reminded Pelosi that Biden said in a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Monday that he’s “firmly committed” to running in the 2024 election.
Lemire pressed further, asking Pelosi, “Do you want him to run?”
“I want him to do whatever he decides to do. And that is the way it is. Whatever he decides to go with,” Pelosi responded.
Biden has fielded questions over whether he should be the Democratic nominee for president following a highly criticized performance at the first presidential debate two weeks ago. As he debated presumptive Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump, Biden stumbled through his words and appeared at times to be confused. Although Trump made multiple false statements during the debate, concerns over Biden’s age and mental fitness took center stage.
Since the debate, eight congressional Democrats have publicly called on Biden to drop out of the race. Postdebate polls have also shown Biden losing ground to Trump.
Biden himself has acknowledged he had a “bad night,” telling Milwaukee radio host Earl Ingram he “screwed up.”
The president, his campaign and the White House have pushed back against claims the president isn’t ready for another four-year term.
NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer and Joe Khalil contributed to this report.