Washington is still buzzing over the vitriolic exchange between CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on CNN last night.
Blitzer — who normally carries water for the Democrats — grew tired of Pelosi’s partisan politics.
He demanded to know why the 80-year-old House speaker refuses to accept President Trump’s generous offer of $1.8 trillion to put food on the tables of hungry Americans.
Blitzer, 72, began his extraordinary debate by challenging Pelosi to take Trump’s deal. Pelosi was defensive when Blitzer quoted Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who tweeted:
“People in need can’t wait until February. 1.8 trillion is significant & more than twice Obama stimulus. It will allow Biden to start with infrastructure. Obama won in 08 by doing the right thing on TARP instead of what was expedient. Make a deal & put the ball in McConnell court.”
With a cunning grin on her face, Pelosi accused Blitzer of being a Republican apologist. “I don’t know why you’re always an apologist and many of your colleagues are apologists for the Republican position… Ro Khanna, that’s nice. That isn’t what we’re going to do,” she said.
But she's smiling when she says it. So she must have GREAT values. I hope in the coming weeks the people remember that her "values" prevented them from getting assistance. Meanwhile, doesn't her hair and skin look great!? Hmmm…
— PBoogerwood (@PBoogerwood) October 13, 2020
But Blitzer pressed on, demanding to know why Pelosi won’t take the deal that includes another round of $1,200 stimulus checks for Americans who are out of work.
“…there are millions of Americans out there who can’t pay the rent, feed their kids and $1.8 trillion [is a lot],” Blitzer argued.
He added that he spoke with former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who also told Pelosi to take the deal, “it’s not everything you want, but there’s a lot there.”
“Honest to God, I really can’t get over it,” Pelosi said. “Because Andrew Yang, he’s lovely. Ro Khanna, he’s lovely. They’re not negotiating this situation… they have no idea…”
Trump previously criticized Pelosi for inserting billions in funding into her $3.4 trillion stimulus package for Democratic mayors and governors who allowed Antifa and Black Lives Matter activists to riot, burn and loot their cities over the summer.
Trump offered half of that — $1.8 trillion — including stimulus checks, but the Democrats refused to budge.
She said « if they meet us half way, we’ll get a deal » when they offer $3.4 trillion. Last time I check half of 3.4 is $1.7 trillion and they put $100 billion on top. I’m tired.
— Black Lives Matter (sihem.fekih) (@sihemfekih) October 13, 2020
As Blitzer and Pelosi continued to argue over each other, Blitzer finally dropped the ball in Pelosi’s lap: “Madam speaker, these are incredibly difficult times right now and we’ll leave on that note,” he said.
But Pelosi clapped back: “No, we’ll leave it on the note that you’re not right on this, Wolf, and I hate to say that to you.”
Pelosi refused to give Blitzer the final word on his own show.
“Thank you for your sensitivity to our constituents’ needs,” she said sarcastically.
“I am sensitive to them because I see them on the street begging for food, begging for money,” Blitzer said warily.
“Have you fed them? We feed them,” Pelosi snapped.
Watch the full interview below.
CNN’S @wolfblitzer presses House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on President Trump’s $1.8 trillion stimulus proposal and why she doesn’t agree with it. “They do not share our values,” Pelosi says. pic.twitter.com/AVHKZH21NA
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) October 13, 2020
He literally was just wanted a simple answer to the question, & she doesn’t have an answer. They don’t care about helping anyone, it’s all political. All she would have to do is put her pride aside and agree to make a deal the would help people NOW. But refuses to do so
— Adam Waters (@adam_waters89) October 14, 2020
Holy shit did @CNN just do some actual reporting? I'm pretty sure this is a sign of the end times #2020
— Alfred Cota (@cota_alfred) October 13, 2020
@SpeakerPelosi doesn't care about what's best for the people unless it benefits her or the party. No way she agrees to a stimulus w Trump's name on the check…
— Ryan F (@osubucky) October 13, 2020