CHICAGO — Nancy Pelosi Wednesday told Democratic convention delegates and the nation to turn to a new generation of leaders, led by Vice President Kamala Harris – but also reminded everyone she’s still in there slugging away at Republicans.
“All thanks to President Biden’s patriotic vision of a fairer America – doing so with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Joe,” she said. “And I know Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights.”
Pelosi recalled how she’s known Harris for decades. Pelosi has been a San Francisco congresswoman since 1987. Harris is a former city prosecutor, state attorney general and U.S. senator.
Pelosi spent much of her short convention speech reminding listeners about the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol.
“Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on January 6th. He did. But let us not forget who saved democracy that day. We did,” said Pelosi, who at the time was House speaker. She wouldn’t speak former President Donald Trump’s name.
Pelosi, 84, stepped down as speaker last year but is still a member of Congress. She reportedly was instrumental in convincing President Joe Biden, 81, to not seek another term.
She’s been ubiquitous this week, traveling around Chicago telling delegation meetings and the media the torch has passed.
Throughout this week, a recurring theme is that it’s time for a new generation, one that has begun to take power. Biden spoke Monday, then left for a vacation. Former President Barack Obama spoke Tuesday and Bill Clinton spoke Wednesday. Thursday, the convention will turn to presidential nominee Harris for her acceptance speech.
There were breaks with convention tradition everywhere. Hundreds of “content creators” helped pitch the message on social media. The roll call of the states Tuesday was basically a rock concert.
An hour before Pelosi spoke Wednesday, Stevie Wonder sang “Higher Ground” as six dancers performed behind him. Then “Saturday Night Live’s” Kenan Thompson offered biting satire about the conservative “Project 2025” blueprint.
Pelosi and the insurrection
Pelosi had no choreography or string of jokes. It was just vintage Pelosi.
Most of her short speech was a reminder of what happened at the Capitol nearly three years ago.
“Never before had a president of the United States so brazenly assaulted the bedrock of our democracy, so gleefully embraced political violence, so willfully betrayed his oath of office,” she said.
Congress reconvened later January 6 and formally declared Biden the president. The House would later impeach Trump for his actions that day, though the Senate would not convict him.
“Thank God we had a Democratic House of Representatives,” Pelosi said.
Remember, she said, “the parable of January 6th reminds us that our democracy is only as strong as the courage and commitment of those entrusted with its care. And we must choose leaders who believe in free and fair elections and who respect the peaceful transfer of power. The choice couldn’t be clearer.”
Pelosi still commands immense respect in the party, not only for shepherding through historical health care and economic legislation, but for her skill at keeping her often-fractured caucus together.
She’s faced some criticism within the party for pushing Biden, whose disastrous June 27 debate with Trump ignited calls for him to leave the race.
This week, she’s bristled at the same question repeated by the media – were you instrumental in nudging Biden out of the race?
“I have my relationship with the president and I just wanted to win this election,” she told reporters after speaking at a California delegation breakfast.
She wanted to talk about November. She wanted to talk more about it Wednesday.
“When the sun rose on January 7 (2021), as our national anthem declares, we ‘gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.’” she said. “Now in this election, we are called upon to do the same. To stand together, to reject autocracy. To choose democracy.”
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