President Barack Obama and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi appeared cordial when they appeared together in San Francisco on Friday, praising each other as great leaders and allies just one week after Pelosi helped sink two trade bills following numerous pleas from the President.
The two leaders shared a stage at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where Pelosi and Obama greeted each other with smiles and an embrace.
In her speech at the conference, Pelosi reiterated her support for the President, saying she was “proud” of him, especially in regard to his work on the economy and health care.
Pelosi continued to praise the President later at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser, where Obama referred to her as an “extraordinary partner” in Congress, adding that he would not have achieved what he has in office had it not been for her.
Later, at climate change activist Tom Steyer’s house, she told the crowd, “These are remarkable changes the President has done by executive action.”
Going into the meetings on Thursday, Deputy White House Press Secretary Eric Schultz defended the relationship between Pelosi and Obama.
“It is strong enough to withstand a difference on any particular issue,” he said. “And I think that it’ll be noteworthy that the President’s position on trade is one that is enjoyed by Democrats across the country.”
Last week, when critical trade bills were up for a vote in the House, it was Pelosi — who shepherded some of Obama’s most controversial first-term bills like Obamacare into law — who hurt the President the most.
After staying on the sidelines for most of the trade fight, Pelosi took to the House floor and announced her opposition to the bill last Friday, giving cover to other Democrats who were considering breaking with Obama.
