Democrats target Dean Phillips amid speculation of Biden primary challenge.
Democrats Dismiss Rep. Dean Phillips’ Potential Primary Challenge Against President Biden as “Delusional”
Democrats are scoffing at the idea that Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) would dare to mount a primary challenge against President Joe Biden. However, Phillips, a third-term congressman from Minnesota’s Minneapolis suburbs, is expected to announce his campaign next week, which may not secure him the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024 but could certainly cause some embarrassment for Biden.
“Racing around the country on a doomed primary challenge does a massive disservice to his constituents — my family and friends,” said Kate deGruyter, the senior communications director for liberal think tank Third Way.
DeGruyter, who hails from Phillips’s congressional district, described his “presidential flirtation” as “maddening” and “delusional.” She emphasized that Phillips himself has admitted he is not well-positioned for a primary run, a sentiment echoed by Democratic leaders in Minnesota and nationally.
A Mystery and Self-Immolation
Larry Jacobs, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, finds Phillips’s “musings” to be a “mystery” that defies political calculations. He believes Phillips is essentially self-destructing, lacking the necessary campaign organization, time, and national following to make any significant impact.
“He’s self-immolating,” Jacobs said. “He has no campaign organization and lacks the time [and money] to stand one up. Filing deadlines to get on the state ballots are approaching or past. He lacks the national following that would give this any chance. And he’s squandering his standing in Congress and political circles.”
Despite already missing the deadline to participate in Nevada’s primary, Phillips plans to focus on New Hampshire, reaching out to prominent state Democrats and operatives with campaign experience. However, political science professor Dante Scala warns that building name recognition in just three months before the primary is a formidable task.
Phillips’s Stated Reason and Political Cover
Eric Ostermeier, a research fellow at the University of Minnesota, agrees with Phillips’s stated reason for considering a primary challenge, which is Biden’s age and the need for generational change. Ostermeier suggests that Phillips’s establishment credentials could provide political cover for other Democrats, such as Gov. Gavin Newsom, to challenge Biden.
“Phillips does not position himself to the left of Biden like many of the president’s critics and detractors,” Ostermeier said. “Another possibility is the move would increase Phillips’s visibility within the state.”
While it remains uncertain whether any of the state’s Democratic U.S. senators will retire, the potential challenge from Phillips could raise his profile in Minnesota if Gov. Tim Walz decides not to seek reelection in 2026.
Phillips’s Concerns and Resignation
Phillips, a multimillionaire businessman, recently resigned from House Democratic leadership due to his concerns about Biden. He has been calling on the president not to run for another term since last July, citing Biden’s age and the need for generational change.
“The president intends to run in 2024. We are ways away from 2024. We are going to continue to focus on doing the business of the American people by delivering for families, by lowering costs for families — 2024 is so far away,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Despite the skepticism and dismissals from fellow Democrats, Phillips remains determined to challenge Biden and potentially make a name for himself in the political landscape.
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How is Rep. Dean Phillips’s potential primary challenge affecting the unity of the Democratic Party?
Experience. However, his attempts to gain support in New Hampshire have been met with skepticism and dismissal from local Democrats.
A Divided Democratic Party
Phillips’s potential primary challenge against President Biden highlights a deep division within the Democratic Party. While some progressive Democrats have expressed discontent with Biden’s moderate policies and want to push the party further to the left, the majority of Democrats believe that uniting behind Biden is crucial to maintaining control of the White House and advancing their policy agenda.
Party leaders argue that a primary challenge from within the party is not only futile but harmful to the overall goal of defeating Republicans in future elections. They fear that a contentious and divisive primary would weaken the party’s unity and give Republicans an advantage in the general election. Instead, they advocate for supporting President Biden and focusing on building a strong Democratic coalition for the future.
A Personal Ambition or a Genuine Concern?
Some observers speculate that Rep. Dean Phillips’s potential primary challenge is driven more by personal ambition than a genuine concern for the direction of the Democratic Party. They argue that his bid for the presidential nomination is a calculated move to raise his profile and gain national recognition. By positioning himself as a progressive alternative to Biden, Phillips may hope to attract the support of progressive activists and donors who are dissatisfied with Biden’s policies.
However, critics argue that Phillips’s primary challenge is ultimately self-serving and undermines the Democratic Party’s efforts. They argue that instead of dividing the party further, Phillips should focus on working within the existing structures to promote progressive policies and support Democratic candidates who align with his views.
Conclusion
As Rep. Dean Phillips prepares to formally announce his primary challenge against President Biden, Democrats across the country dismiss his campaign as delusional and detrimental to the party’s unity. While Phillips may attract some attention and even cause some embarrassment for Biden, the odds are stacked against him. With a lack of campaign organization, time, and a national following, Phillips’s challenge is seen as a self-destructive act that undermines the goals of the Democratic Party. As the primary season approaches, it remains to be seen whether Phillips’s bid will fizzle out or gain any traction among progressive activists and donors.
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