Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) is calling on top Democrats to join the 2024 presidential primary against President Joe Biden — stating that voters “want a competition” and “not a coronation.”
As Biden’s poll numbers continue to decline amid rising crime, a border crisis, rising inflation, and concerns about his cognitive decline — several Democrats have already jumped in the primary race, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
🚨 NEW NATIONAL POLL
PRES:
(R) Trump 44%
(D) Biden 44%
.
(D) Biden 43%
(R) DeSantis 38%
——
GOP PRES:
Trump 61%
DeSantis 14%
Pence 8%
Ramaswamy 7%
Haley 3%
Scott 3%
——
DEM PRES:
Biden 63%
Kennedy Jr 20%
Williamson 9%@wearebigvillage | July 24-26https://t.co/sMOmLNxmjT— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 27, 2023
However, Kennedy and the other current challengers to Biden do not perfectly align with the Democrats’ radical agenda — and thus have not been embraced by the party. Biden is still largely considered to be the only choice for most Democrats, even those who have expressed concern about his ability to lead, but some — like Phillips — have begun calling for fresh faces in the race.
Phillips made the comments during a Sunday appearance on CBS News’s “Face the Nation” with Major Garrett.
While discussing rumors that he is contemplating running for president, Phillips noted that he has not made a decision — but went on to note that it was clear voters were looking for a change, citing polling data.
“Democrats are telling me that they want, not a coronation, but they want a competition,” the Democrat congressman said. “The New York Times poll from this week shows 55% of Democratic voters want some alternatives to the current people in the primary. 83% of those under 30. Democrats under 30 want alternatives, and about 76% of independents.”
Phillips then suggested that the consequences “are going to be disastrous” if the Democrat Party doesn’t choose a different nominee in 2024.
“So my call is to those who are well positioned, well prepared, have good character and competency, they know who they are, to jump in, because Democrats and the country need competition,” he continued.
“I do not believe I’m well positioned to run for it right now,” Phillips later added. “People who are [well-positioned] should jump in because we need to meet the moment. The moment is now. That is what the country is asking.”
He also claimed that Kennedy — Biden’s top challenger — isn’t a Democrat, and attacked far-left activist Cornell West for choosing to run as a Green Party candidate in 2024 because he fears that West will take away votes from the Democrat Party candidate.
Politico reports that Biden is working feverishly to stave off Cornel West and No Labels third party threats.
One thing stands out like a sore thumb when compared to the GOP Primary:
"Biden effectively controls the Democratic National Committee — no Democratic primary debates… pic.twitter.com/MyajPfBoG7
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 3, 2023
“Anybody who wants to turn the page and go to the future in this country should be worried about Cornell West’s candidacy,” he said. “Any third-party entrance that would take votes from whoever is going to take on the likely nominee from the GOP and that’s probably Donald Trump. So I would ask Mr. West, I would ask others who are contemplating third party runs to please think about your legacy, think about the future, and consolidate around entering a Democratic primary because that’s why we have primaries.”
