Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) claimed this week that "literally hundreds" of Democrats in Congress oppose President Joe Biden run...
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) claimed this week that "literally hundreds" of Democrats in Congress oppose President Joe Biden running for re-election.
Speaking with the Atlantic, Phillips said the race for the 2024 Democratic nomination needs competition because in the business world, anything with approval ratings similar to Biden's would be facing a stiff headwind.
"This is not a knock on Joe Biden, just a wish for competition," Phillips said. "In the business world, if the dominant brand in a category had favorability ratings like the current president does, you would see a number of established brands jump into that category."
"Believe me, there are literally hundreds in Congress who would say the same thing," he added. "But they simply won't f***ing say a word."
Phillips did not disclose the names of any of those lawmakers. And importantly, his views are not out of step with Democratic voters.
In fact, recentsurveys reaffirmed that Democratic voters, by a significant margin, want a Democrat other than Biden to challenge the Republican Party for the White House in 2024. Under Biden, Americans have faced a border and migrant crisis, a gas price crisis, and a generational inflation crisis and have watched as the Taliban took over Afghanistan.
Aside from leadership problems, Democrats understand that Biden's age — he is 80 years old — is a significant deterrent to winning a second term. That's why some Democrats are already encouraging their party to reconsider Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden's 2024 running mate.
Phillips first spoke out against Biden running again last year.
But the Minnesota Democrat is becoming increasingly outspoken, as the 2024 presidential campaign season will begin in earnest this summer. Last month, he told Politico that Democrats are voicing fears behind closed doors, but are so far refusing to say anything publicly about Biden.
"It's fear, plain and simple," Phillips said. "People are focused on self-preservation and their aspirations.
"Nobody wants to be the one to do something that would undermine the chances of a Democratic victory in 2024," he explained. "Yet in quiet rooms the conversation is just the opposite — we could be at a higher risk if this path is cleared."
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