Nancy Pelosi's influence can be seen all across the Democratic Party shakeup that in a few short, agonising weeks has reengineered the 2024 presidential ticket and the race for the White House.
It was Pelosi who publicly encouraged President Joe Biden to make a decision about his reelection campaign when he had already insisted he had no plans to step aside. Once he exited and endorsed Kamala Harris atop the ticket, it was Pelosi who was a big fan of her future running mate, Tim Walz.
For the House speaker emerita the upheaval is less about Biden, a friend of 40 years, and more about Republican Donald Trump, the former president she refers to as Bozo, a snake-oil salesman, what's his name and the creature from the Black Lagoon.
How can I say this in the nicest possible way: My goal in life was that man would never step in the White House again, Pelosi said, slapping the table with every word.
Pelosi spoke Wednesday with reporters and columnists about her new book, The Art of Power,