CHICAGO — Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday that a future President Harris would have no reason, politically, to stray from the polices of President Biden.
Pelosi emphasized that the vice president should carve her own path if she wins the White House, advising Harris — and everyone — to “be yourself.”
“Take it where you want to take it. What is your vision, your values, what’s in your heart of concern for people?” Pelosi said during an interview at the CNN/Politico Grill, an event space set up for the Democratic National Convention.
But Pelosi also praised the policy track record of the Biden administration and argued that Harris is under no political pressure to diverge from that platform.
“That’s up to her,” Pelosi said. “I don’t think there’s any political reason to do so.”
The remarks arrive as liberal, pro-Palestinian Democrats are furious with Biden’s continued military support for Israel amid its war with Hamas in Gaza. The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks, which left more than 1,100 people dead. But Israel’s response has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, sparking an outcry that Israeli leaders have done far too little to protect civilians. Some have accused them of war crimes.
The anger has spilled this week into Chicago, where thousands of protestors have gathered to press the administration to demand a cease-fire from Israeli leaders, and an arms embargo if they don’t comply.
Those protests have been largely an afterthought among conventiongoers, who have been insulated from the demonstrations by a massive security presence surrounding the United Center, the hub of the event.
But the issue got some attention Wednesday night when delegates associated with the Uncommitted National Movement, a pro-Palestinian group, pressed convention leaders to allow a Palestinian doctor to address the crowd. Convention leaders refused the request.
The group is vowing to withhold support from the Democratic presidential candidate if the administration doesn’t halt its military aid for Israel — votes that could prove crucial in a battleground state like Michigan, which is home to a significant Muslim population.
Pelosi acknowledged the importance of winning the Wolverine State if Democrats are going to have a chance of keeping control of the White House.
“We must win Michigan,” she said.
But Pelosi declined to offer Harris specific advice about how to go about it except to “be true to yourself.”
“That’s what I keep saying: Be yourself. There’s nobody like any of you in the history of the world. You — you’re individual, you’re authentic, you’re sincere,” she said.
“She has to project her own authenticity.”
Alex Gangitano contributed.