'Worst political instinct ever': Fetterman blasted for picking fight with Nancy Pelosi

Two weeks after President Joe Biden's heavily criticized debate performance against presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, Democrats remained divided over whether Biden should stay in the race or drop out.

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), veteran strategist James Carville, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), ecoonomist Paul Krugman, and actor George Clooney have called for Biden to suspend his reelection campaign, as they believe that another nominee would be better equipped to defeat Trump in November.

Krugman has said that Vice President Kamala Harris, if she were the nominee, could be a formidable candidate.

But Democrats ranging from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have said they're sticking with Biden.

READ MORE:'Dead heat': Biden ahead or tied with Trump in 2 new post-debate polls

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), meanwhile, hasn't publicly called for Biden to withdraw but isn't urging him to stay either. And Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who wants Biden to stay in the race, is drawing criticism for his comments about Pelosi during an appearance on CNN.

The Pennsylvania senator told CNN, "She's never run for any office outside the House. She's never run for president…. He has already made his decision: He's staying in this race. Stay in if that's what you believe."

Fetterman's comments have inspired a lot of responses on X.

Former New Republic design director Lindsay Ballant argued, "I have a burning contempt for Pelosi for blocking progressive legislation while making zillions in stock options, but to make the accusation that she doesn't know ball in DC is genuinely hilarious."

READ MORE: George Clooney calls for 'hero' Biden to 'save democracy' in 2024 — by leaving the race

Democratic activist Eric Nelson tweeted, "It MUST be added to all these Dem Congressional comments of 'Biden drop-out' vs 'stay in' whether they are up for reelection this fall. Fetterman's current term ends on January 3, 2029. His career is not on the line this November so one could say he is not caring about his Dem Sen colleagues as he grandstands. None of the 8 Dem Senators who are up for reelection/or election this fall are yet coming out unequivocally saying for Biden to stay in."

Historian Cameron Gillespie posted, "John Fetterman is not a serious man and needs to think about the things he is saying. Picking a fight with Nancy Pelosi is not smart."

Similarly, @tillerbagel posted, "john fetterman picking a fight with nancy pelosi may be the worst political instincts i have ever seen."

The Liberation Project tweeted, "Fetterman is a bumbling moron who has no right to question Pelosi's credentials, really pathetic stuff."

READ MORE: 'No change': Biden debate performance has had 'almost no impact' on 2024 race, report finds