Nancy Pelosi asserts Kamala Harris won open Dem primary process

On Wednesday, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asserted that the Democratic Party's presidential nominating process was open and that Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the winner after President Biden's withdrawal in mid-July. Despite the lack of a competitive primary, Pelosi maintained that Harris had a significant advantage, stating that she had a 'running start' and that no other candidates entered the race. This assertion came in response to questions about the excitement surrounding Harris's nomination. Pelosi's comments reflect her earlier stance advocating for a competitive primary process if Biden stepped down. However, she emphasized that the absence of challengers was not due to a closed process but rather Harris's early momentum. Critics, including Jenny Beth Martin from the Tea Party Patriots, pointed out inconsistencies in Pelosi's statements regarding Biden's condition and the party's decision-making. Experts like Jeremy Mayer and Steinhorn noted that while the process deviated from contemporary norms, it was not entirely unprecedented, recalling how candidates were selected through conventions in the past. They highlighted the importance of public vetting in modern politics, suggesting that the lack of an open primary could lead to questions about the legitimacy of the nomination process. Ultimately, Pelosi's insistence on the openness of the primary process and Harris's uncontested nomination raises discussions about the evolving nature of political nominations and the expectations of party members and voters in the current political landscape.