CHICAGO — “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi bristled at the “Godmother” moniker for her that’s been making the rounds at the Democratic National Convention in a nod to her behind-the-scenes puppet master role in the party – which helped push President Biden to end he re-election bid.
Several Democrats were spotted around the convention sporting pins of her face superimposed on an image of a poster for the iconic movie trilogy, “The Godfather.”
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,” Pelosi (D-Calif.) groused with a frown on her face during a panel session with Politico Thursday. “My grandmother name[d me] ‘Mimi’ — he skipped that and went to something somebody else decided to name me.”
Pelosi, whose time as House Speaker concluded in early 2023, demurred when asked if her gripe with the moniker was over the connotations about Italian Americans or because it was an apparent reference to her reputation for being a ruthless political operative.
“I don’t appreciate people making pins and giving it out as if it were a gift. I’m not amused by that,” she grumbled.
The 84-year-old has been in the hot seat over recent weeks for her role in President Biden’s downfall during the Democratic mutiny against him in the wake of his fumbling debate performance in late June.
Although Pelosi didn’t publicly join the calls for Biden to step aside, she has fessed up to taking calls from jittery Democrats during the revolt and the former speaker reportedly grilled the president over the viability of his candidacy.
About two days after Biden sent a letter to Democrats telling them he was “firmly committed” to staying in the race, she went on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” rumored to be one of the president’s favorite shows, and suggested his decision about whether to stay in was still an open question.
Several of her key allies such as Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) joined the revolt against Biden.
Pelosi admitted that she hasn’t spoken with Biden since he withdrew from the race.
“I’m not the leader or the speaker anymore. When I was, we spoke more regularly, and now [we haven’t] for a few weeks, but that would not be unusual,” she said.
When asked if she was bothered that Biden is “upset” with her, Pelosi sidestepped the question.
“What bothers me would have been the reelection of Donald Trump as the president of the United States,” she said. “That’s what bothers me and I think that would’ve bothered him.”
Earlier in the interview, Pelosi insisted that she doesn’t like to use former President Donald Trump’s name.
She stressed that the two have a lot in common with their Catholic faith as well as Democratic politics and indicated that Biden will always be welcome at her home. Pelosi also declined to answer when she plans to retire from the lower chamber but joked about her next career.
“I’ve been thinking about being a stand-up comedian. I’ve been thinking about being a dessert consultant. I don’t see enough chocolate in the restaurants,” she quipped.
The Golden State Democrat addressed the convention on Thursday and expressed gratitude toward Biden, who is vacationing in California.
Biden “had one of the most successful presidencies of modern times,” she claimed during her remarks. “I know that Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights.”