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.
A technician adjusts a solar-powered security camera tower outside McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2024. McCormick Place is hosting many of the daytime events associated with the Democratic National Convention. (Dave Levinthal / 
A fleet of tow trucks stand at the ready outside security barriers at Chicago’s United Center for the Democratic National Convention. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
A half-dozen Chicago Police officers stand watch outside the Ashland "L" Train station on Aug. 18, 2024, near the United Center, where the Democratic National Committee's evening events are being conducted. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)
Snowplows are being deployed as extra layers of security across Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
Chicago Police officers fill up their motorcycles during their patrol Sunday afternoon. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
A Cook County, Ill., bomb squad truck is parked outside McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2024. McCormick Place is hosting many of the daytime events associated with the Democratic National Convention. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story) 
A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System decontamination truck from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency drives around the perimeter of McCormick Place in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2024. McCormick Place is hosting many of the daytime events associated with the Democratic National Convention. (Dave Levinthal / Raw Story)
Federal agents running a security checkpoint near the United Center on the afternoon of Aug. 18, 2024. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
United States Capitol Police patrol the streets around the United Center Sunday. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
A law enforcement helicopter circles the area around Chicago’s United Center Sunday evening ahead of the Democratic National Convention. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
Chicago snowplow turned security barrier. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
Local and national law enforcement officials and security contractors setting up concrete and steel barriers downtown Chicago at 2 am Sunday morning. (Matt Laslo / Raw Story)
Press logistics volunteers for the Democratic National Convention receive pre-convention instructions during a tour of the Chicago Bulls' basketball training facility, which is doubling as a media filing center. The Democratic National Convention takes place from Aug. 19, 2024, through Aug. 22, 2024, at the adjacent United Center in Chicago. (Dave Levinthal / 
