Pelosi claims NBC is trying to ‘undermine’ her potential Speaker bid

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claimed that NBC News is attempting to “undermine” her efforts to again become Speaker of the House after the network reported that at least 50 Democratic candidates wouldn’t back her for the leadership position.

Pelosi responded to the report on MSNBC’s “AM Joy” on Sunday, saying that “NBC has been on a jag of this, this is one of their priorities, to undermine my prospects as Speaker.”

{mosads}The network reported Friday that 51 Democratic candidates, including nine incumbents, running in November’s elections said they would not support Pelosi for Speaker if the party were to win back control of the House.

The Hill has reached out to NBC News for comment.

Pelosi said on Sunday that she has “not asked one person for a vote.”

“What’s important, and I know better than anybody, is to win this election because I see up close and personal what the Republicans and this president are doing,” she said.

The Democratic leader added that she believes she is “the best person” to serve as Speaker.

“I say to the candidates, ‘Do what you have to do, just win baby,’” Pelosi said. “When the caucus decides, it will decide whose name they will send to the floor. Then, only then, after the election, will I ask people for their support.”

Pelosi, a powerful fundraiser for Democrats who previously served as Speaker — the only woman to do so — has faced criticism from some members of the party who have called for her to give up her leadership position.

She still has the backing of a large number of Democratic lawmakers.