Pelosi Delivers Speech To N.C. Democrats With Notable Absence — Biden's Future As Nominee

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — In a state expected to help decide the presidency, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi did little to quell speculation on President Joe Biden’s path forward as the Democratic nominee to a room full of North Carolina Democrats on Saturday.

Pelosi addressed more than 900 people at the North Carolina Democratic Party fundraiser in Raleigh — an event billed as the annual “Unity Dinner” during a time of significant national discord over how the party will proceed in the 2024 presidential election. All eyes are on Democratic leaders like Pelosi, who colleagues say has her finger on the party’s pulse, to get a glimpse of what Biden’s future holds.

The power she holds in the Democratic Party — and in the direction the party takes — was no better emphasized than in her introduction by U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C.

“When Nancy Pelosi speaks, everybody listens,” Adams said.

And with everybody listening, Pelosi gave a speech largely absent of mentions to Biden’s presidential bid.

Pelosi spent most of her speech recounting battles over budget and policy in the U.S. House, highlighting the importance of funding public education and reiterating the dangers of the Republican agenda. When she did mention Biden, it was mostly to tout his administration’s policies.

At the end of her speech, Pelosi shifted to discussing the party’s plans in the coming months and chose to focus on Democratic mobilization efforts rather than who to mobilize behind.

“Are you ready for a Democratic president?” Pelosi said amid cheers. “I thought so.”

Since Biden’s dismal showing in the June 27 debate with former Republican President Donald Trump, significant fallout has ensued within the Democratic Party on whether the president is capable of