Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to calm down about Bernie Sanders

Nancy Pelosi
(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) privately urged her caucus Thursday to stay calm as Democratic voters pick the party's presidential nominee, The New York Times reports. A lot of Democratic officials, including dozens of House moderates, have warned of electoral disaster if Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wins the nomination.

Pelosi reportedly laughed when one lawmaker suggested she herself could swoop in to lead the presidential ticket if things get ugly, saying, "I like my job — you're not getting rid of me that easily." House Democrats will campaign on their own agenda and need to "keep our eye on the ball," she reportedly told her caucus, adding: "The ball has an orange face." Pelosi's "For the People" agenda focuses on lowering the cost of health care, creating well-paying jobs, and fighting corruption.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.