Minnesota Congressman Enters Democratic Primary Challenge to President Biden
Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips has officially entered the Democratic primary race challenging President Joe Biden. In a speech outside New Hampshire’s statehouse, Phillips emphasized the need for a new generation of leaders to take the torch. While he is considered highly unlikely to beat Biden, Phillips’ run symbolizes a challenge to national Democrats who assert that there is no reason to doubt Biden’s electability. Many Americans have raised concerns about whether the 80-year-old Biden should serve another term.
During his speech, Phillips highlighted his intention to address economic issues and expressed concerns about high prices and the chaotic situation at the border. These are potential vulnerabilities for Biden as he prepares for a potential rematch against former President Donald Trump. Phillips also aims to engage New Hampshire Democrats who are dissatisfied with Biden for diminishing their state’s influence on the 2024 Democratic primary calendar, lamenting that historically, New Hampshire has been the first to vet presidential candidates.
Biden has positioned himself as uniquely qualified to defeat Trump again after his victory in the 2020 election, and top Democrats have thrown their support behind him while eyeing potential future primary runs. The president’s re-election campaign released a statement emphasizing their efforts to mobilize a winning coalition, which Biden can uniquely bring together to beat Trump.
Although Biden won’t officially participate in New Hampshire’s primary and will rely on a write-in campaign, he is planning to visit Phillips’ home state for an official event and fundraiser next week. Phillips, who is relatively unknown nationally and has missed the deadline to enter Nevada’s primary, faces an uphill battle. His campaign’s social media account was even temporarily suspended before his launch. Furthermore, the governor of his home state, Minnesota, signed a fundraising pitch from Biden’s campaign shortly before Phillips announced his candidacy.
Phillips’ primary challenge carries historical significance, as past New Hampshire primary challenges have wounded incumbent presidents. In 1968, Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy opposed the Vietnam War and finished second in New Hampshire’s primary, ultimately influencing President Lyndon Johnson’s decision not to seek another term. While primary challenges against President Jimmy Carter by Senator Ted Kennedy and against President George H.W. Bush by Pat Buchanan failed, both Carter and Bush went on to lose their re-election bids.
New Hampshire’s influence on Democrats has been curtailed by changes made by the Democratic National Committee at Biden’s request, intended to empower Black and minority voters. The new Democratic calendar now places South Carolina first in the presidential primary voting, with Nevada following three days later. However, New Hampshire, citing state laws that dictate its primary must be first, plans to hold its primary before South Carolina’s. There is a possibility that the DNC may strip the state of its nominating delegates.
Former speaker of the New Hampshire House Steve Shurtleff believes Phillips may resonate with some Democrats and independents who can participate in the primary. Shurtleff expressed disappointment over the attempt to take away their primary but clarified that it is not about wanting to see Biden lose, rather, it is about wanting their primary to succeed.
However, Terry Shumaker, a former DNC member from New Hampshire and long-time Biden supporter, expects the president to easily secure the state as a write-in option. Shumaker drew on his experience supporting McCarthy in 1968 but expressed doubts about Phillips gaining similar traction, questioning the clarity of his message.
There are no Democratic primary debates scheduled at this time, and the only other Democrat running in the 2024 primary is self-help author Marianne Williamson.
Phillips, who inherited his stepfather’s Phillips Distilling Company empire, has a background in both the distilling and gelato industries. He unseated a five-term Republican in 2018 and has focused on serving his moderate suburban constituents in the greater Minneapolis area.
A recent poll conducted by AP-NORC revealed that the top words associated with Biden were old and confused. A significant percentage of Democrats and U.S. adults believed Biden is too old to be effective for another four years. In comparison, Trump was most frequently described as corrupt and dishonest.
Retired teacher and Democrat Leslie Blanding from Bow, New Hampshire, expressed conflicting views about whether Biden should face a primary challenger. Blanding acknowledged concerns about Biden being too old and expected him to have groomed a successor from the outset. However, Blanding believed that Biden currently stands the best chance of defeating Trump or any other opponent.
In conclusion, Congressman Dean Phillips has entered the Democratic primary challenge against President Joe Biden. While the odds are stacked against him, Phillips’ campaign raises symbolic questions about Biden’s electability and addresses crucial issues such as the economy and border control. His bid aims to energize New Hampshire Democrats upset over the diminished influence of their state’s primary and reflects past primary challenges that have affected incumbent presidents. However, Phillips faces challenges such as his relatively unknown status and missed participation deadlines. Nevertheless, he hopes to resonate with certain voters, including Democrats and independents who can participate in the primary. While New Hampshire’s primary process has faced changes, it remains to be seen whether Phillips can generate the same enthusiasm as previous primary challengers.
