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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) told a reporter on Wednesday that her characterization of the tepid response to Democrats' "Better Deal" rollout was wrong, saying it actually received a "very positive response" and insisting she "name names" of its critics.
Pelosi and other Democratic leaders rolled out the "Better Deal" last month, pitching it as a cohesive, progressive economic agenda to regain voters after a disastrous 2016 election cycle. The Washington Free Beacon compiled a montage of liberal media members and Democrats who disliked the slogan, calling it "trash," "so vanilla," "flaccid," and reminiscent of the failed Hillary Clinton campaign.
KRON reporter Pam Moore noted to Pelosi that people said, "it's not bold enough" and "lacks inspiration."
"Do you feel that a ‘Better Deal' does offer the spark to pull in the voters the party will need to win?" Moore asked.
"Well, let me with all due respect to your characterization offer a counter-view," Pelosi said, smiling. "We've gotten a very positive response, but the month of August this break was the test drive. We sent our members on the road and said, ‘See how people respond to this.'"
Pelosi said the agenda was not developed by leadership, and a collective decision was made that it would focus entirely on jobs and the economy.
"Perhaps we'll refine some of the language, but we are committed to having an economic agenda that has clarity as we go forward. And the biggest message of all … is our unity," she said.
Moore kept on the subject, saying there are Democrats and supporters of the party who say the slogan does not capture the imagination. Pelosi threw up her hands.
"Do you want to name names? Do you want to name names?" Pelosi asked.
"Harold Ford, Bill Maher … [Joe] Manchin in [West Virginia]," Moore said.
Pelosi said Democrats were "on board," and she said "commentators" that Moore referred to were "not in the fight."