**Pelosi Criticizes Timing of Biden's Exit, Backs Open Primary Process**

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expressed concerns about President Biden’s delayed departure from the presidential race, suggesting it hindered a competitive primary that could have bolstered the Democratic Party. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Pelosi reflected on the events that unfolded after Biden’s underwhelming performance in a June debate and his subsequent withdrawal in July.

Pelosi revealed she had anticipated an "open primary" following Biden's exit, envisioning a scenario where multiple candidates could vie for the nomination. "Had the president gotten out sooner, there may have been other candidates in the race," she stated during the interview with Lulu Garcia-Navarro for The Times' podcast "The Interview." Pelosi added that a timely departure from Biden could have led to a dynamic primary scenario, enhancing the prospects for vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Pelosi acknowledged that Harris could have benefited from such a primary, stating, "And as I say, Kamala may have, I think she would have done well in that and been stronger going forward. But we don't know that. That didn't happen." She further noted that Biden’s swift endorsement of Harris immediately after his withdrawal created a scenario that made a primary improbable. "If it had been much earlier, it would have been different," Pelosi remarked.

Biden's endorsement of Harris, mere hours after his campaign concluded in July, was a strategic move backed by Pelosi and other Democratic leaders, effectively consolidating support and preventing potential challengers from emerging. This move rapidly garnered Harris endorsements from delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Despite discussions among Democrats regarding a quick primary, these ideas did not gain momentum and were ultimately not supported by the Democratic National Committee or the convention delegates. Pelosi’s reflections highlight a missed opportunity for a potentially robust internal competition, which she believes could have strengthened the party’s position moving forward.