House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday defended Hillary Clinton as a “progressive” candidate, but declined to officially endorse the former secretary of state, who is struggling on the New Hampshire polls against socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
“Not right here and now in this room, no,” Pelosi said when a reporter asked her whether she would endorse Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president.
Sanders is leading Clinton by double digits in the Granite State, and some predict he’ll beat Clinton by 20 points in next week’s primary.
Clinton has struggled to portray herself as liberal enough for the Democratic base, which is gravitating toward Sanders. Pelosi, who is liberal and represents San Francisco, said Clinton is “a progressive, yes,” but seemed to agree with Clinton’s argument that there is no clear definition.
“Who sets the standard for progressive?” Pelosi said. Clinton, she said, has demonstrated her policy is progressive, through her work with children and the budget.
“For her whole life, the list goes on and on, about her progressive credentials,” she said.
She did call Sanders “a great progressive.”
“Everyone is impressed by how Sen. Sanders has eclipsed many other voices, other than Mrs. Clinton, as we go forward.”
