Over at the Huffington Post, Jennifer Bendery interviewed Nancy Pelosi about Tim Ryan’s challenge for her leadership post. In case you were thinking it’s a friendly contest, Pelosi wasted no time pulling out the flamethrower.
Pelosi called Ryan’s charges that she’s trying to increase her own power within the caucus “almost pathetic.” She also objected in strenuous terms to the idea that she is out of touch with the sort of white working-class Democrats who just re-elected Ryan but also voted in large numbers for Donald Trump.
“He didn’t even carry his district for Hillary Clinton,” Pelosi said with a laugh, “so I don’t know why he’s saying that.”
“I have strong support from our friends in the unions, including steelworkers, which I guess are his area,” she continued. “You know what? If you want to come interview me, I’m happy to answer your questions about how we go forward. I’m not going to pay attention to, ‘I can’t step in a union hall.’ I’m a woman of steel in there. … I’m constantly invited by the unions to go to their meetings. That’s just not, it’s just not true.”
“I don’t have enough time to receive all the invitations I have,” Pelosi added.
