Episode Overview

Podcast: The New Yorker Radio Hour
Episode: Nancy Pelosi: "Timing Is Everything"
Date: October 14, 2019
Host: Jane Mayer (Chief Washington Correspondent, The New Yorker)

Theme:
This episode features an in-depth, candid conversation with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, recorded live at the New Yorker Festival. At a critical moment during the Trump administration, Pelosi discusses the internal debates and external pressures leading to the opening of the 2019 impeachment inquiry. She shares her philosophy of leadership, the role of timing, reflections on sexism in politics, the importance of unity, and her views on the Democratic Party’s path forward.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Impeachment Inquiry: Why and When

• Pelosi’s Approach to Impeachment

  • Pelosi emphasizes that the decision to start an impeachment inquiry was not taken lightly and was not a partisan or gleeful endeavor. The process reflected her belief in "legislating, investigating, and litigating" as core congressional responsibilities.

    "This is not anything to be gleeful about for our country. It's a very sad time when there is the thought that the President of the United States... has violated his oath of office."
    — Nancy Pelosi [01:56]

• The Moment That Changed Everything

  • Pelosi recounts receiving a call from President Trump on September 17, 2019, shortly before the Ukraine call transcript was released. That conversation and the clarity it brought became the tipping point.

    "For me, timing is everything. ...On September 17, 2019, was the very day, boom, the explosion of the telephone call... That was a moment of revelation in terms of, okay, it's understandable. This had clarity."
    — Nancy Pelosi [04:28]

    • She reveals that Trump's insistence that his call was "perfect," and his lack of awareness about its ethical implications, made it "imperative that we proceed."
    • Pelosi’s timeline: She estimates the call from Trump was "about 7:45 that Tuesday morning" [10:31].

• Pressure and Leadership

  • Pelosi insists her decisions are not based on pressure from the left, although such pressure can provide “leverage.” She reiterates her commitment to facts and clarity.

    "I don't view pressure as a reason for me to do something. However, it does give me leverage."
    — Nancy Pelosi [04:28]

The Constitutional Stakes

• Protecting Democracy

  • Pelosi frequently references the Founders, constitutional history, and the system of checks and balances.

    "The times have found us to keep that republic because that republic is based on separation of power, co equal branches of government, a check and balance on each other."
    — Nancy Pelosi [02:34]

• Senate Dynamics & McConnell

  • She voices skepticism about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (“the Grim Reaper”) and his willingness to hold a fair trial, but asserts that the House’s “courage” is not contingent on the Senate’s “cowardice.”

    "The courage of the House to honor its oath of office... is not affected by the cowardice of the Senate to ...not honor their oath."
    — Nancy Pelosi [15:00]

• No Immediate Need for a House Vote

  • Pelosi dismisses criticism for not taking a formal vote to open the inquiry, seeing it as a Republican deflection.

    "There's nothing in the Constitution or anything that says we have to take that vote. When the time is right, we may take it."
    — Nancy Pelosi [17:15]

Whistleblowers & National Security

• Pelosi details her role in crafting whistleblower protections, emphasizing their fundamental importance, especially in intelligence matters.

  "I was there when we wrote the laws about protecting whistleblowers, protecting them from retaliation. This is very important to our system."
  — Nancy Pelosi [12:14]

Critique of Republican Loyalty to Trump

• Pelosi argues that GOP loyalty to Trump is sincere and predates him, characterizing their alignment on major issues as longstanding.

  "Donald Trump is their guy. There is nothing that he has put out there that they haven't been for longer and worse... Name any subject."
  — Nancy Pelosi [20:10]

Sexism in Politics & Women in Power

• Pelosi on Trump's Treatment of Women

  • Observes Trump's nicknames for women and suggests he projects his own traits onto adversaries.

    "When he calls me nervous Nancy, I know he's very nervous... Any knock from him is a boost to me."
    — Nancy Pelosi [21:26]

  • Notes that female politicians, including herself and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, become targets for attacks, especially from the right.

    "It's a sign of their bankruptcy of ideas that they have to resort to these ad hominem attacks... And women are, shall we say, an easier target for them."
    — Nancy Pelosi [25:39]

  • Offers advice to fellow women: focus on your "why" and don’t be distracted by attacks.

• On Women Running for President

  • Pelosi is hopeful but candid about the challenges. She tells a personal story about her daughter's pragmatic advice when she considered running for Congress.

    "I always thought that the American people would elect a woman President... well before Congress would... enable a woman to get... Speaker of the House."
    — Nancy Pelosi [32:38] "I wish that we had a woman President of the United States right now because of how great she would have been, but also for what it would have spared the country..."
    — Nancy Pelosi [33:43]

The Democratic Party, Policy, and the 2020 Election

• Offers nuanced takes on intra-party debates, advocating for pragmatism and focus on common ground rather than ideological purity.

  "Health care for all Americans is what our goal is. What that path is is a matter of discussion... We don't have to lead with our differences. Let's lead with what we have in common."
  — Nancy Pelosi [27:20]

• On primary enthusiasm vs. electoral strategy:

  "We must win the presidential election. And we must win the presidential election."
  — Nancy Pelosi [29:32] "Make a decision to win, and when you make a decision to win, you make every decision in favor of winning."
  — Nancy Pelosi [34:23]

The Press and Political Distraction

• Critiques the media for amplifying Trump’s distractions at the expense of legislative work, but affirms the essential role of a free press.

  "I think in many respects the press have been enablers for the Trump agenda... But I do believe that the press is the guardian of our democracy..."
  — Nancy Pelosi [38:33]

• Warns against being dominated by the President’s messaging strategies:

  "He is textbook in that regard, but I've never spoken this much about him. I never have."
  — Nancy Pelosi [40:48] "Donald, you used to own a casino. You know, the house always wins."
  — Nancy Pelosi citing a meme [41:38]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "For me, timing is everything. Timing is everything." [04:28]
• "This is our democracy at risk. If we do not have a system of checks and balances, separation of power, co equal branches of government. We have a monarchy, a republic. If we can save it, if we can keep it." [02:34]
• "Mr. President, you have entered my wheelhouse." [11:52]
• "Any knock from him is a boost to me." [21:26]
• "Our diversity is our strength. Our unity is our power. And that's what whatchamacallit fears most, the power of our caucus." [23:55]
• "Make a decision to win, and when you make a decision to win, you make every decision in favor of winning." [34:23]
• Mickey Hart meme: "Donald, you used to own a casino. You know, the house always wins." [41:38]

Timeline and Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Introduction: [00:08–01:14]
• Impeachment Inquiry Decision: [01:14–10:34]
• The Call with President Trump: [05:48–10:34]
• On Whistleblowers and National Security: [11:41–13:57]
• Senate Impeachment Process & McConnell: [14:05–16:43]
• No Need for Formal Inquiry Vote: [16:43–18:16]
• Republican Criticism and Loyalty: [18:16–21:03]
• On Sexism and Women in Politics: [21:26–25:39]
• Democratic Party Ideology & 2020 Election: [26:51–30:49]
• On Women Becoming President: [30:49–34:32]
• Sequencing and Timing of the Impeachment Process: [34:32–36:05]
• Mike Pence vs. Trump: [36:05–37:59]
• Media’s Role: [38:05–41:51]

Summary

Nancy Pelosi, at a historic political crossroads, details her decision-making behind initiating the impeachment inquiry against President Trump, emphasizing constitutional responsibility and the necessity of timing. She distinguishes between pressure and leadership and reflects on her personal experiences as a pioneering woman in politics. Pelosi urges pragmatism, party unity, and focus on broader, common goals as the party approaches the 2020 election, frequently circling back to the risks of a second Trump term and underscoring the work needed to protect democracy. The conversation is candid, thoughtful, and at times, wryly humorous, as Pelosi navigates the challenges of leadership in the Trump era.