Dean Phillips urges Biden to ‘hand over the torch’ amidst ongoing low approval ratings.
Rep. Dean Phillips Calls on President Biden to “Pass the Torch” for 2024 Presidential Race
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) is urging President Joe Biden to hand over the reins to another Democratic leader for the upcoming 2024 presidential race. Phillips believes that he represents the majority of Americans who want to propel the party forward.
In an engaging interview on NBC News’s Meet the Press with Chuck Todd, Phillips expressed that both donors and constituents are eager to “move on.” While Phillips himself has been mentioned as a potential challenger to Biden in 2024, he has not yet committed to entering the race.
Inflation Complicates Biden’s Path Back to the White House
“It’s not always about what’s objectively real, but rather how people feel. People are yearning for a fresh start,” Phillips emphasized. “As a Democrat, I deeply admire Joe Biden for saving our country. Now, he has the opportunity to solidify his legacy… the call to action is for the president to pass the torch.”
Phillips’s remarks come at a time when Biden is facing historically low approval ratings for his presidency. Additionally, he is trailing narrowly in some crucial battleground states and slightly behind in others, potentially jeopardizing his chances of re-election in 2024. A recent poll by Emerson College on Aug. 4 showed Biden and Trump deadlocked at 44% in Michigan.
The Minnesota congressman highlighted the existence of an “extraordinary bench” of Democrats who could viably take the national stage. He specifically mentioned his desire to see a “moderate governor from the Heartland,” citing individuals like Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL).
Phillips clarified that he does not doubt Biden’s ability to run for a second term, but he believes it is crucial to examine the data. “In business, you have to acknowledge this because data speaks the truth. And right now, the data is speaking the truth,” Phillips asserted, while also emphasizing that “it’s not too late.”
Phillips acknowledged that his opinion is often considered “unpopular” and typically only discussed behind closed doors. He believes that Democrats are hesitant to voice support for alternative Democratic presidential candidates due to fears of losing to Republicans and former President Donald Trump.
“There is currently no political reward in the United States for simply speaking the truth,” Phillips lamented. “Just look at what happened to my Republican colleagues who dared to do the right thing and support the Constitution… look at what happened to them?”
“At a time when we need it more than ever, it is not wise to step out of line,” Phillips continued.
However, despite his reservations about No Labels, an organization attempting to run a third-party candidate, Phillips and several other Democrats have criticized their efforts. Data analysis suggests that a third candidate could potentially sway the vote in favor of Trump.
Phillips suggested that Green Party candidate Cornel West and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who has contemplated a presidential bid under a third-party ticket, should instead participate in the Democratic primary to avoid dividing the party.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
