In a gushing interview at the The Paley Center for Media in New York, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said President Obama told her the passage of his health care overhaul made him happier than his own election to the presidency.
Pelosi predicted the Supreme Court will easily declare the president’s signature legislation constitutional.
“I’m predicting 6-3 in favor, but we shall see. It’s a lesson in civics, and I respect it. I respect the court and judicial review,” she said. Pelosi did not identify the justices she believes will approve or dissent.
Pelosi explained how important the Affordable Care Act actually is to the president.
“The day after it passed the president called, he said ‘Last night when you passed that bill, the health care bill, I was happier than I was when I was elected president of the United States.’ What a beautiful thought,” she said.
Pelosi added that she told Obama that while she was happy about passing his health care law, she was happier when he was elected — because without Obama as president there would be no Obamacare. (RELATED: Full coverage of Obamacare)
The interview also explored Pelosi’s transition from mother to congresswoman. She encouraged more women to get involved in their communities and politics, and explained that her strategy for getting ahead involves following a passion and having sharp elbows.
“[Politics is] not for the faint of heart, [don’t] let me lead you astray on this. If you are going to throw a punch you better to be ready to take a punch,” she told the luncheon. “It’s rough, but it’s the arena. Once you jump in the arena you’re a target and have to know how to fight.”
Pelosi added that her mother always wanted her to be a nun.
The first female Speaker of the House spoke about the “awesome power” that comes with leading the Congress and said she had thought America would have a female president before a female speaker.
“Nobody ever thought a woman would be speaker. I, myself, thought we would have a woman President of the Unites States much sooner than we would ever have a woman Speaker of the House because the public is so much further ahead of Congress in recognizing the leadership of women.”
Pelosi stressed the importance of getting more women in politics. In order to increase the role of women in politics, she said, the country must reduce the role of money and bring more civility to politics.