Former President Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi worked closely together during his presidency. | Jessica McGowan/Getty Images Congress Obama praises Pelosi's 'skill' and 'toughness'

Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday praised House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as one of the most effective congressional leaders in American history as she faces an increasingly difficult fight to reclaim the speakership.

Speaking to his former aide David Axelrod for “The Axe Files” podcast, Obama said Pelosi’s “skill, tenacity, toughness, vision, is remarkable.”


“Her stamina, her ability to see around corners, her ability to stand her ground and do hard things and to suffer unpopularity to get the right thing done, I think, stands up against any person that I've observed or worked directly with in Washington during my lifetime,” he said, according to CNN.

Obama and Pelosi worked closely together during his presidency; her mastery of the legislative process is often credited with helping ultimately secure passage of Obamacare.

Pelosi is currently in a battle to take back the speakership after 16 Democrats signed a letter saying they would oppose her on the House floor. Pelosi, who has led House Democrats for 16 years, needs 218 votes on the House floor on Jan. 3 to be elected speaker.

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Pelosi has earned endorsements from dozens of lawmakers, celebrities and even President Donald Trump. And now add Obama to that list.

"I think Nancy Pelosi, when the history is written, will go down as one of the most effective legislative leaders that this country's ever seen,” Obama said.

