House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) praised on Thursday a speech that President Joe Biden gave this week that was widely panned as divisive as it referred to “domestic” enemies.
“We heard what the president said in his speech. And, it appeared that he – there was criticism from the upper chamber, from Mr. Durbin, saying that he went over – perhaps a little bit over the top a little bit,” a reporter said. “What are your thoughts on that? And, do you think that the president may have gone a little bit too far in trying to sell this particular bill to the American people and trying to get votes to try and get this passed by [inaudible] the filibuster?”
“No. I stand with the president. I think that I – I thought his speech was wonderful, and I stand with him in the fight for voting rights. No criticism of Mr. Durbin. He has to do what he has to do vis‑a‑vis his own Members and the rest,” Pelosi responded. “The only criticism I would make, too – I wouldn’t say criticisms, but observations. Nobody knows who Bull Connor [is]. You know, if we’re making the case to say, ‘We’re going to be with Martin Luther King or Bull Connor’ – who’s that? ‘If we’re going to be with Martin Luther King or [the people] – Martin Luther King and John Lewis, or the people who unleashed the fierce dogs on them’ – that’s who Bull Connor is. Strom Thurmond – none of us have a lot of happy memories about Strom Thurmond.”
“So, again, since you asked my critique of the president’s speech, I thought it was fabulous,” she concluded. “I come out, congratulate him for it. It was well‑received, even among those who had some apprehension of what’s going to happen with this, all of this, next. So, I thank him for it, and I stand with the president in the fight for voting rights.”
WATCH:
Nancy Pelosi praises Biden for saying Americans who oppose Democrats' radical election overhaul are domestic enemies:
"I thought it was fabulous!" pic.twitter.com/iO4M9lJLIg
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 13, 2022
TRANSCRIPT:
REPORTER: We heard what the president said in his speech. And, it appeared that he – there was criticism from the upper chamber, from Mr. Durbin, saying that he went over – perhaps a little bit over the top a little bit. What are your thoughts on that? And, do you think that the president may have gone a little bit too far in trying to sell this particular bill to the American people and trying to get votes to try and get this passed by [inaudible] the filibuster?
NANCY PELOSI, HOUSE SPEAKER: No. I stand with the president. I think that I – I thought his speech was wonderful, and I stand with him in the fight for voting rights. No criticism of Mr. Durbin. He has to do what he has to do vis‑a‑vis his own Members and the rest.
The only criticism I would make, too – I wouldn’t say criticisms but observations. Nobody knows who Bull Connor [is]. You know, if we’re making the case to say, ‘We’re going to be with Martin Luther King or Bull Connor’ – who’s that? ‘If we’re going to be with Martin Luther King or [the people] – Martin Luther King and John Lewis, or the people who unleashed the fierce dogs on them’ – that’s who Bull Connor is. Strom Thurmond – none of us have a lot of happy memories about Strom Thurmond.
So, again, since you asked my critique of the president’s speech, I thought it was fabulous. I come out, congratulate him for it. It was well‑received, even among those who had some apprehension of what’s going to happen with this, all of this, next. So, I thank him for it, and I stand with the president in the fight for voting rights.
Thank you. I unfortunately have to go to the Floor to vote for the bill, as well as gavel it down. Thank you, all.