Nov 20, 2018

Obama calls Pelosi an "extraordinary partner"

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."

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Preview: "Axios on HBO" interviews Bob Woodward

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  • "I did not want to join the ranks of the Senate Republicans who know that Trump is the wrong man for the job, but won't say it publicly," Woodward said.

Catch the full interview on Monday, Sept. 28 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on all HBO platforms.