Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Obama and Pelosi in 2014. Photo: Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images
Former President Barack Obama called Nancy Pelosi an "extraordinary partner" and "one of the most effective legislative leaders that this country's ever seen" on the "Axe Files" podcast, hosted by his former chief strategist, David Axelrod, per CNN.
Why it matters: This vote of confidence in Pelosi comes as she is attempting to regain the gavel as House speaker. Obama also praised Beto O'Rourke, who narrowly lost a Senate bid to Ted Cruz, as one of "a number of" strong potential Democratic candidates in 2020. He said O'Rourke ran a race that "didn't feel constantly poll-tested."