{"id":2402309,"date":"2025-02-13T12:50:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T17:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dean-phillips-argues-democrats-are-missing-the-boat-in-targeting-musk-and-doge-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-13T12:51:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T17:51:18","slug":"dean-phillips-argues-democrats-are-missing-the-boat-in-targeting-musk-and-doge-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dean-phillips-argues-democrats-are-missing-the-boat-in-targeting-musk-and-doge-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Dean Phillips argues Democrats are \u2018missing the boat\u2019 in targeting Musk and DOGE &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdean-phillips-argues-democrats-are-missing-the-boat-in-targeting-musk-and-doge-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2402309&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former Representative Dean Phillips\u200b (D-MN) has criticized the Democratic Party&#8217;s strategy of\u2064 targeting \u2063Elon\u2063 Musk and the cryptocurrency DOGE, arguing that this focus is misguided and failing to resonate with voters. In a \u2062recent CNN interview, Phillips \u2064expressed embarrassment\u2063 over the party&#8217;s approach during a congressional hearing, \u200dstating that they should instead collaborate \u200dwith Republicans to \u2062identify wasteful spending and \u2064fraud in the federal government. He believes that such a strategy would lend more credibility \u200dto Democrats and better address \u200dthe\u200d concerns\u200b of Americans, including\u200c federal employees.<\/p>\n<p>Phillips, who is \u200dpositioning himself as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024, noted that the party is missing the prospect to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">effectively tackle government inefficiency<\/a>. He highlighted a lack of leadership within the party ahead of upcoming elections and \u2063pointed to \u2064House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as a\u2063 promising figure who should be more prominent in\u2062 the party&#8217;s strategy. In contrast \u2063to the party&#8217;s fixation on Musk,\u2064 Phillips advocated for focusing on\u200b eliminating waste in government as a more productive line of attack.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Dean Phillips argues Democrats are &lsquo;missing the boat&rsquo; in targeting Musk and DOGE<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1992368\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Former Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dean-phillips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Dean Phillips<\/a> (D-MN) criticized the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Democratic Party<\/a> for heavily focusing on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-government-efficiency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Department of Government Efficiency<\/a> and its head, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Elon Musk<\/a>, following the 2024 election, suggesting this strategy is &ldquo;not playing well&rdquo; for his party.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) was one of several Democratic lawmakers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3318065\/mtg-mocked-by-house-democrat-musk-picture-first-doge-panel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">who spoke out against Musk and DOGE on Wednesday<\/a>, saying that lawmakers &ldquo;should in no way be cooperating with House Republicans&rdquo; with some of their efforts. Phillips, who described himself as &ldquo;a long-suffering Democrat,&rdquo; said he was &ldquo;really embarrassed&rdquo; for the Democratic lawmakers in Wednesday&rsquo;s hearing, specifically how the party is seeking to work against the desire of voters.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3318449\/democrats-lose-touch-with-voters-over-musk-trump-doge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">DEMOCRATS LOSE TOUCH WITH VOTERS OVER MUSK, TRUMP, DOGE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And I just would hope that my Democratic colleagues might change the strategy and perhaps actually work with Republicans to identify waste and fraud and actually attack that, because then they would have some more credibility as it relates to the Constitutional issues and the ones that are actually going to hurt human beings, including federal employees who are now being used as pawns,&rdquo; Phillips argued on CNN&rsquo;s <em>Laura Coates Live<\/em>. &ldquo;So that is how most Americans feel. But Democrats are not projecting that, and I&rsquo;m deeply concerned about leadership right now.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share.php?id=2800094&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=9421&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=be610a7e4542f6ea7b83927e1d64d51d\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Phillips, who aimed to replace former President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Joe Biden<\/a> as the Democratic Party&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/woke-pressure-strengthened-desantis-decision-to-ban-biological-males-from-womens-sports-spox-says\/\" title=\"\u2018Woke\u2019 Pressure \u2018Strengthened\u2019 DeSantis Decision To Ban Biological Males From Women\u2019s Sports, Spox Says\">2024 presidential nominee<\/a>, went on to say that one of his campaign propositions was to recruit a consulting firm to look at the federal budget and make &ldquo;thoughtful&rdquo; recommendations on how to make the government more efficient. Democrats focus on Musk, and the party means is &ldquo;missing the boat&rdquo; on the winning issue of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/property-tax-rates-in-disney-district-to-come-down-after-vote-from-desantis-appointed-board\/\" title=\"Disney district property tax rates to decrease following vote by DeSantis-appointed board.\">eliminating government waste<\/a>, leaving the party &ldquo;steamrolled,&rdquo; Phillips added.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The former lawmaker&rsquo;s analysis comes after the <em>Washington Examiner&rsquo;s<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/byron-york\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Byron York<\/a> contended that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3317860\/elon-musk-oval-office-visit-regularize-doge-work-byron-york\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Democrats have made Musk &ldquo;the main target&rdquo; as its post-2024 election strategy<\/a>. He added that this tactic of working against DOGE and defending &ldquo;some of the most unpopular parts of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-assassination-task-force-begins-with-slew-of-requests-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump assassination task force begins with slew of requests - Washington Examiner\">federal government&#038;rdquo<\/a>; is what Democrats &ldquo;really think&rdquo; will be a winning issue for them.<\/p>\n<p>Phillips said that his party still lacks proper leadership ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections, though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/02\/12\/democrats-grassroots-groups-moveon-indivisible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) has contended that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) could be the voice the party is looking for<\/a>. When asked about this, the former presidential candidate called Jeffries &ldquo;a rising star&rdquo; who should be more &ldquo;visible.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, podcast host and comedian <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HigVe4IqsBM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Joe Rogan argued that the Democratic Party still has not undergone any &ldquo;course-correcting&rdquo; after the election<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">Late Wednesday evening,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3319063\/doge-website-goes-live\/\" target=\"_blank\">DOGE announced the launch of its website<\/a>, which is set to debut the department&rsquo;s cost reduction and savings scorecard by Friday<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1992368\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1992368\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dean Phillips claims Democrats are misfocusing on Musk and DOGE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2402310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Dean-Phillips-DOGE-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[35744,3685,23466,32192,32504],"class_list":["post-2402309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-dean-phillips","tag-democrats","tag-doge","tag-elon-musk","tag-political-strategy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Dean-Phillips-DOGE-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2402309"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2402313,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402309\/revisions\/2402313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2402310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2402309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2402309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2402309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}