
Although the Democratic National Committee has done its best to prevent President Joe Biden from facing any real threat to his incumbency from within the party, that has not stopped U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) from mounting his own presidential campaign.
Ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, Phillips appeared on CNN where he forecasted that Biden is on a clear path to become a one-term president.
After outlining some policy differences he has with the current president on issues including the border, childcare, and education, Phillips shared an anecdote that he said showcases how much trouble the Biden re-election campaign is in.
Asserting that Americans are “really fearful,” he noted that GOP primary front-runner Donald Trump is in a position to capitalize on that public sentiment, as evidenced in a recent campaign rally.
“Last night I saw a Trump rally outside of mine,” he added. “I walked up to the line of people a mile long and I simply said ‘Hello.’ I met with 50 people going to the Trump rally who were friendly, hospitable, and thoughtful, some who said they voted for Barack Obama. Some said they were Bernie Sanders supporters.”
The Minnesota Democrat described Trump as “on a big mission to win,” predicting that Biden “is going to get creamed” in the general election if he secures the party’s nomination.
“I just wish Democrats would wake up and ensure that at least we give it our best shot because right now I’m afraid we are deluded into a nightmare,” Phillips said.
"You're not asking the questions that Americans give a s— about."
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), who is challenging Pres. Biden for the Democratic nomination, expressed frustration to reporters in New Hampshire after repeated questions about how he may influence the 2024 race. pic.twitter.com/FkWL9YIQwH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 23, 2024
Despite the fact that Biden is essentially ignoring the New Hampshire election over his desire to make South Carolina the nation’s first Democratic primary, Phillips nevertheless asserted that the president’s performance in the state should serve as a gauge for his electability.
“When Bill Clinton was re-elected as the incumbent in New Hampshire, he got 84%,” the lawmaker told Fox News. “When Barack Obama was re-elected, he got 81%. So I think those should be the benchmarks. What does Joe Biden earn in New Hampshire?”
Phillips speculated that if he receives support “in the 20s” and Biden is “somewhere in the 50s or something, that is an extraordinary challenge for an incumbent to overcome.”