Nancy Pelosi stops short of declaring that Biden should remain in the race, but says “time is running out” for him to make a decision

A former House speaker told the House, “I want him to do whatever he decides to do.”

WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., held back Wednesday from a full-throated endorsement of President Joe Biden’s staying in the 2024 race, saying it’s up to him whether to run but warning the clock is ticking.

“It’s the president’s responsibility to decide if he’s planning to be a candidate. We’re all encouraging him decide, as the clock is ticking,” Pelosi said in an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” when she was asked if Biden could count on her backing to become the president of the Democratic ticket.

Pelosi said she was unable to determine if Biden enjoys the support of the majority of the congressional Democrats in particular since Biden isn’t acting as a leader in the current political climate.

“But He’s loved by all and respected and people want him take that choice. But not myself,” she said.

When asked if she would like to see him run for president, Pelosi said: “I would like him to be able to do whatever he chooses to do. That’s it. That’s how it is. Whatever he chooses to do is right, we will follow.”

In a later statement on Wednesday evening, Pelosi spokesperson Ian Kragar said, “Speaker Pelosi fully supports any decision that the President Biden will decide to take on. We need to pay focus on the reason why this race is so crucial: Donald Trump would be an unforgiving disaster for our country and our democratic system.”

Pelosi’s comments in the interview are noteworthy, since she is still an influential participant in the Democratic caucus as speaker emerita whose members and rank still rely on her for direction.

A House Democrat claimed that Pelosi’s remarks, which continue to fuel the rage over Biden, “Everything she does is intentional.”

Pelosi said that she’s instructed the Democratic friends to “hold off” on stating their views publicly on Biden’s decision to remain on the ballot.

“I’ve said everyone, let’s just hold off, whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week,” she stated.

In reply to Pelosi an official from the Biden campaign made reference to the note Biden wrote to Democratic lawmakers on Monday, stating that Biden is “firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.”

The official also mentioned Pelosi’s comments to a journalist Tuesday, saying that “I’ve always been committed to him.” In the same conversation during which she was asked if Biden is the most qualified candidate for the job, Pelosi also said: “I’m not making any statements currently on the floor. If I’m ready to declare my position I’ll.”

As Democratic leaders including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, both of New York, reiterated their support for Biden as the candidate this week However, a lot of other Democrats are still in a stalemate. Nine House Democrats have made public calls for Biden to pull out of the race. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado on Tuesday became the first Senate Democrat to declare publicly that the he doesn’t believe Biden is able to defeat Trump.

The week before, Pelosi also said in an interview with MSNBC she believed it to be an “legitimate question” whether Biden’s performance in the debate was an “condition” or just an “episode.”

Biden as well as Biden and the White House have dismissed the notion that he suffers from any significant health problems that affected the night of his death, and Biden has firmly stated thathe’s remaining in the race.