News / Politics / US Election 2018

Obama backs Pelosi ahead of her bid for House gavel

Tuesday, 20 November 2018 9:35 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 20 November 2018 9:35 PM ]

US House minority leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on November 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (AFP photo)

Former US President Barrack Obama has thrown his support behind the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, before her new bid for speakership in the wake of victory in the midterms elections.

"I think Nancy Pelosi, when the history is written, will go down as one of the most effective legislative leaders that this country's ever seen," Obama told "The Axe Files" podcast, produced by the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, calling her an "extraordinary partner."

When Democrats take control in the House, Pelosi would need 218 votes to become the speaker.

PressTV-Dems warn Trump against stopping Russia probe

Democrats have warned Trump against stopping Russia probe after he forces Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign.

"Nancy is not always the best on a cable show or with a quick sound bite or what have you… But her skill, tenacity, toughness, vision, is remarkable," Obama said. "Her stamina, her ability to see around corners, her ability to stand her ground and do hard things and to suffer unpopularity to get the right thing done, I think, stands up against any person that I've observed or worked directly with in Washington during my lifetime."

The California Democrat has previously said that US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly mocked and attacked her, is “afraid of the women who are going to be coming into Congress.”

Obama cited "the blocking and tackling involved in actually getting things across the finish line," asserting that, "My experience has been that Nancy Pelosi knows how to do that, and she was an extraordinary partner for me throughout my presidency."