Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that "time is running short" for President Joe Biden to decide whether he is staying in the presidential race.
Her comments come despite President Biden's insistence that he intends to stay in the race and is not contemplating dropping out. Pelosi stopped short of calling on President Biden to exit the presidential race, as several of her Democratic colleagues in the House have done.
Pelosi told MSNBC, "As long as the president – it's up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We are all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short.
Pelosi, who has continued serving in the House after stepping down as speaker and caucus leader, addressed whether Biden has the support of most Democrats.
"I think the overwhelming support of the caucus, it's not for me to say as I am not the head of the caucus anymore. But he's beloved, he's respected and people want him to make that decision," Pelosi said. "I want him to do whatever he decides to do and that's the way it is. Whatever way he decides, we go with."
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Pelosi previously garnered attention for comments she made following President Biden's performance at last month's presidential debate that drew questions over his mental acuity and ability to serve well into his 80s.
"I think it's a legitimate question to say, is this an episode, or is this a condition? And so when people ask that question, it's completely legitimate — of both candidates," Pelosi told MSNBC.
Last Friday, in an interview with ABC News, President Biden was adamant he has no plans to withdraw.
"If the Lord Almighty came around and said, 'Joe, get out of the race,' I'll get out of the race, but Lord Almighty is not coming down," Biden said.
On Tuesday, Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar said Democrats are committed to defeating former President Donald Trump, adding, "Right now President Biden is the nominee, and we support the Democratic nominee."
To date, six House Democrats have urged President Biden to exit the race, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who said on Tuesday she'd like to see a new Democratic nominee.
