After Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, a previously overlooked remark by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi resurfaced on social media, quickly gaining attention for its poignant reflection of the Democratic Party’s mood. The line, “There’s no point in saying ‘good morning,’ because it certainly is not one,” was originally spoken by Pelosi at a different event but has now become a symbol of frustration for many. Republicans have seized on the quote, interpreting it as a reflection of the disarray within the Democratic Party following their defeat.
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy wasted no time placing blame on Pelosi for the loss, particularly due to her influence in pushing Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee. “Remember when she went around democracy and said, ‘I don’t care if people picked you, I’m going to pick someone else?’” McCarthy remarked, referring to Pelosi’s significant role in orchestrating Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. McCarthy argues that Pelosi’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering ultimately put Harris in a vulnerable position, leaving the Democratic Party without a strong, unifying candidate.
McCarthy continued by criticizing Harris’s decisions, claiming they contributed to the defeat. “The very first decision that Kamala Harris made was the wrong decision,” McCarthy said, specifically pointing to her choice of Tim Walz as her running mate instead of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “That sealed the deal,” he added, arguing that the Walz pick failed to ignite enthusiasm among voters and didn’t resonate with critical swing states.
Although Pelosi never explicitly called for Biden to step down, her dissatisfaction with his campaign was clear. She made several remarks that raised concerns about his ability to run, fueling speculation that she had a significant role behind the scenes. During an appearance on MSNBC, Pelosi famously said, “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run,” which many interpreted as signaling the uncertainty surrounding the Democratic ticket.