Pelosi's 'Open Primary' Claim Slammed as a "Joke" and a "Lie

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing backlash for her insistence that the 2020 Democratic presidential nominating process was open and competitive, with Kamala Harris "winning it" despite the absence of any such contest. Critics have labeled her comments as a "joke" and a "lie," pointing out that Harris was essentially appointed as the nominee by Biden without any need for a primary vote.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has come under fire for her recent remarks about the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nominating process. Pelosi claimed that the process was "open" and that Kamala Harris "won it," despite the lack of any formal primary contest. This assertion has been met with mockery and condemnation from conservatives, who accuse Pelosi of distorting the truth.

Amid pressure from within the party, Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race in mid-July 2020 and endorsed Harris as his successor. Harris effectively became the presumptive nominee from that moment forward, a status that was solidified when the Democratic National Committee implemented an unprecedented virtual roll call vote ahead of the national nominating convention. Harris received 99% support from participating delegates, despite having no challengers on the virtual ballot.

Pelosi's 'Open Primary' Claim Slammed as a "Joke" and a "Lie

Conservatives have seized upon Pelosi's comments to paint a picture of a rigged process. Ryan Walker of Heritage Action For America derided Pelosi's claim that Harris won an open primary as a "joke," highlighting the 14 million votes cast for Biden that were effectively discarded. Tea Party activist Jenny Beth Martin accused Pelosi of lying about the nominating process, echoing similar criticisms that have been leveled against her for downplaying Biden's cognitive decline.

Election experts, however, maintain that the process was not illegal or undemocratic. Jeremy Mayer of George Mason University explains that parties have the authority to determine how their candidates are nominated, and that no federal election laws were violated. American University professor Leonard Steinhorn suggests that the party had little choice but to proceed as it did, given the proximity of the election.

Pelosi's 'Open Primary' Claim Slammed as a "Joke" and a "Lie

Mayer and Steinhorn draw parallels to the Republican Party's potential actions if its nominee faced an obstacle requiring a replacement. They argue that the GOP would likely appoint a candidate in similar circumstances, despite the lack of a formal primary. Steinhorn also points to historical precedents, such as the selection of Gerald Ford as president without facing any primary challenges.

Pelosi's remarks have also been criticized by fellow Democrats, who have accused her of being out of touch with the concerns of ordinary voters. The perception of an undemocratic nomination process could have a negative impact on the party's electoral prospects, particularly among disaffected progressives.

Pelosi's 'Open Primary' Claim Slammed as a "Joke" and a "Lie

Despite mounting criticism, Pelosi has doubled down on her claim that the process was open and fair. She insists that anyone could have entered the race, but that Harris's early lead and political savvy prevented other candidates from challenging her.

The controversy surrounding Pelosi's comments has exposed the divisions within the Democratic Party and raised questions about the fairness of its nominating process. As the party prepares for the 2024 presidential election, it will need to address these concerns to maintain its unity and electoral viability.

Pelosi's 'Open Primary' Claim Slammed as a "Joke" and a "Lie