Dean Phillips | TTOP
In a surprising move, Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips formally announced his presidential campaign on Friday, marking his entry into the 2024 race. Phillips has filed to run in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary, where he will challenge President Joe Biden, setting the stage for a long-shot bid to secure the Democratic nomination.
Speaking aboard his campaign bus in Concord, Phillips, a three-term congressman, expressed his concerns about President Biden’s prospects in a general election rematch against former President Donald Trump. He called President Biden a “terrific president” but asserted that it was time for a change. Phillips had initially tried to encourage other Democratic candidates to enter the primary, and he even attempted to persuade President Biden to consider passing the torch. However, with those efforts falling short, he felt compelled to enter the race himself.
“It’s time for change. I’m hearing that all around the country,” Phillips told CNN. “This was not about me. But my inability to attract other candidates, to inspire the president to recognize that it is time, compels me to serve my country because it appears that President Joe Biden is going to lose the next election.”
Phillips has been vocal about his concerns regarding President Biden’s age and low approval ratings, arguing that he would be a weak general election candidate. However, his campaign launch comes at a time when Democrats are aiming to unite behind President Biden, fend off potential spoiler independent candidates, and showcase the administration’s accomplishments to voters. President Biden’s allies have characterized the talk of Phillips running as a distraction that could emphasize the president’s vulnerabilities.
Phillips and his campaign team have emphasized their intention to mount a serious challenge to President Biden that extends beyond the New Hampshire primary. He stated that it would be “foolish” to run solely to raise his national profile.
Steve Schmidt, a former Republican operative advising Phillips’ campaign, revealed their plans to hold more than 119 town halls in early-voting Democratic primary states, including New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Michigan. Schmidt, who previously worked on the presidential campaigns of former President George W. Bush and the late Sen. John McCain, stressed the importance of winning the first race to secure the Democratic nomination.
In his campaign speech set to be delivered on the steps of the New Hampshire state capitol, Phillips is expected to criticize President Biden’s approach to issues like border security and rising crime in cities.
However, Phillips’ entry into the race has presented challenges for the Democratic Party. President Biden has decided not to file to appear on the New Hampshire Democratic primary ballot due to the state’s non-compliance with the national party’s revised nominating calendar. Instead, Democrats will launch a write-in campaign for the president, making Phillips’ campaign more significant to New Hampshire Democrats who aim to prevent an early primary defeat for President Biden.
Outside of New Hampshire, Phillips faces an even more challenging path, as he lacks the name recognition of other potential Democratic presidential contenders like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Phillips’ decision to focus on New Hampshire, especially after the Democratic National Committee’s decision to elevate South Carolina as the first primary state, may hinder his chances in South Carolina’s primary on February 3. Nevertheless, Phillips remains determined to campaign across the early primary states.
In recent months, Dean Phillips has transformed from a mild-mannered moderate and a member of the Democratic leadership into a vocal advocate for a new generation of Democratic leaders. This shift in his stance has cost him support within his own party, leading to his resignation as co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
Phillips attempted to reach out to President Biden to discuss his intentions but was unable to connect with the president directly. Despite the challenges and divisions within the Democratic Party, Phillips remains committed to what he sees as the need for a new generation of leaders and a fresh direction for the party.
In summary, Dean Phillips’ decision to challenge President Biden for the Democratic nomination is a bold and unexpected move that has the potential to further divide the Democratic Party and create additional hurdles for the incumbent president in his reelection bid. While Phillips faces steep odds, he is determined to make his case to the American people and reshape the future of the Democratic Party.
