Pelosi explains to CNN her urging of Biden to drop out: I took a 'punch for the children'

Ahead of President Joe Biden's unprecedented speech Monday night at the Democratic National Convention, former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi explained her reasoning in helping push him out of the presidential race, saying she "took a punch for the children."

Biden, 81, in May awarded Pelosi, 84, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and called her the "greatest speaker of the House of Representatives in history."

But after a disastrous debate performance in June against former President Donald Trump, Pelosi pushed Biden to exit the race. According to a New York Times report last week, the two hadn't spoken since he stepped aside, and multiple reports indicated he was unhappy with her.

On Monday night, CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Pelosi about her new book — and the fact that she hadn't spoken to the president.

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"It was four weeks and one day ago that he stepped aside. And I know that it's been very difficult for him. That's been made very clear by some of his top aides," said Tapper.

Tapper asked her about any "residual bad blood," noting that Anita Dunn said Monday that no one wants to fight Pelosi, "'at this time.'"

"Sometimes you just have to take a punch for the children," said Pelosi with a laugh, adding that she hadn't heard Dunn's comments before the question.

Anchor Dana Bash also laughed, and asked, "Who's punching right now?"

"He made the decision for the country," said Pelosi. "My concern was not about the president, it was about his campaign, as he has seen, with the exuberance, the excitement that has come forth in our country."

Watch the clip below or at this link.