Skip to main content
Part of complete coverage on

Pelosi dismisses reports of tension with White House

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • House speaker insists Hill Democrats have good relationship with White House
  • Nancy Pelosi reportedly angry when Robert Gibbs said Republicans could win House
  • Pelosi: "I have nothing but praise" for White House political efforts
  • Pelosi says House Democrats have a "solid organization" in place

Washington (CNN) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday downplayed recent reports of a strained relationship between congressional Democrats and the White House, telling reporters the administration has been "cooperative" in the run-up to this November's midterm elections.

"We had a very positive meeting with the president yesterday," Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill. "There is absolutely no reason to think that the White House has been anything but cooperative with us" in efforts to maintain a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.

"I have nothing but praise" for administration efforts, Pelosi said. There is "no better leader or advocate for America's working families" than President Barack Obama.

Pelosi was reportedly angered when White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that "there's no doubt there are enough seats in play that could cause Republicans to gain control" of the House.

Gibbs has since clarified his remarks, saying he believes Democrats will maintain a majority in both the House and the Senate. He also has praised Pelosi for doing a "monumental" job over the last 18 months and insisted he has a "cordial" relationship with the speaker.

Gibbs' comment Sunday "was unfortunate," Pelosi said. But it could be "interpreted many ways." It was, in certain respects, a political "Rorschach test."

Pelosi said Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, had assembled a "solid organization" heading into the fall campaign.

CNN's Alan Silverleib contributed to this report.

Part of complete coverage on
The Results
Which states helped to swing the House balance of power? See detailed results for ballot measures and races for House, Senate and governor.
Polling Center
See if polls matched up with election results. CNN's Polling Center offers comprehensive election data from national and state pollsters.
The Basics
Now that the voting is over, who are this year's winners and losers? How will the new House and Senate change key issues that affect millions?
iReport Election Project
A snapshot of the nation's political pulse. See how participants measured up to our mobile iReport election challenge.
The Issues
Get in-depth information about the issues that are most important to Americans and join the debate.
Political Ticker
Keep up with the latest headlines in the aftermath of the 2010 midterm elections from the Best Political Team.