President Joe Biden shared a couch with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at Ethel Kennedy’s memorial service — and gave a blank stare as the woman who helped him end his campaign delivered a eulogy.
Biden was accompanied by two of his predecessors as he walked to his seat for the service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, with Pelosi following behind him. The two have not spoken in more than two months.
Upon arriving at their argument, Biden greeted former Senator John Kerry, his climate envoy. He then spoke with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who served as his top surrogate even as he himself stayed out of the race.
Former President Barack Obama was next to greet Kerry, as Biden was led to his seat. He did not turn to Pelosi or her husband, Paul Pelosi, as they walked in behind him.
Biden sat next to Obama, whom he served as vice president for eight years and whose former aides were instrumental in voicing public calls for him to step back after his debate disaster this summer.
Obama and former President Bill Clinton sat between Biden and Pelosi, thus forming a buffer.
President Joe Biden sat a few seats lower than Nancy Pelosi at Ethel Kennedy’s funeral. Pelosi recently said they haven’t spoken since she was a key figure in the pressure campaign to get him to step back in his reelection bid.
As the Speaker Emerita delivered remarks, she made a joke that former Rep. Joe Kennedy III had already made in praise of the trio of powerful leaders.
“Again, Mr. President, Mr. President, Mr. President,” she said, earning a smile from Obama. “How perfect for Ethel to have three great presidents speak,” she said, to applause from those in attendance.
Biden sat stone-faced as she continued.
Pelosi revealed in a recent interview that she had not spoken to Biden since his monumental decision to withdraw from his campaign.
“Not since, no,” she said to the Gurdian. ‘But I pray about it.”
Biden had an animated conversation with Obama, moving his hands at one point and holding the pew with another as a church organist played somber music, while Clinton spoke to Pelosi just a few feet away.
It was Joe Kennedy who got the biggest laughs when he made the joke about the three presidents. “I can say without a doubt that you were her favorite,” he joked, drawing laughs from the crowd of mourners and a wide grin from Biden.
Pelosi made a joke about the three presidents that was similar to an earlier joke by Joe Kennedy III, Biden’s economic envoy to Northern Ireland
Biden and Obama had a few laughs during the memorial service honoring Kennedy’s life
When Obama spoke, he touched on themes of forgiveness and endurance as he celebrated the life of Ethel Kennedy and recognized her sacrifice after her husband Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.
He called her “a woman who understood that our salvation comes from turning toward each other, not from turning away.” someone who reminds us by example that life goes on, no matter how deep the sadness. That there is joy and purpose to be found no matter what hand we are dealt.
When Pelosi was called to speak, she walked in front of Biden, who stared into space with his hand partially covering his mouth.
Pelosi acknowledged Obama’s comments recognizing Kennedy and drew applause from the crowd, including Biden.
Biden nodded as Pelosi called Ethel Kennedy a “national treasure.”
Biden clapped along with the other presidents as Pelosi concluded with the words “may she rest in peace,” and slowly stood up when they did so.
Later Thursday, an Italian-American heritage celebration at the White House hosted by the president and first lady Jill Biden, Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi did not attend.
It’s the kind of event that would have made the prominent Italian-American lawmaker a logical addition, at an event where Biden talked about moving to an Italian neighborhood in Claymont, Delaware.
Asked by DailyMail.com about Pelosi’s absence, senior White House climate adviser John Podesta, a powerful Italian-American insider for decades, looked to the past.
“They are comrades and allies and they have done a lot together,” he said.