Moon Shot: Congressman Dean Phillips Takes on a Political Challenge of Epic Proportions

Congressman Dean Phillips launches ‘moon shot’ primary challenge to Biden

The Growing Democratic Dissatisfaction

Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips has announced a long-shot presidential bid, calling on Joe Biden to step aside. While it is highly unlikely that Phillips will win the primary, his announcement highlights a growing dissatisfaction within the Democratic Party regarding President Biden’s leadership. As a 54-year-old former businessman, Phillips has been advocating for a “moderate” Democrat to run for President for months.

Phillips has been serving in the House of Representatives since 2019, representing a mostly suburban district that includes parts of Minneapolis’ outskirts. In a move to make his bid official, Phillips filed his candidacy papers to appear on the primary ballot in New Hampshire, the first primary election in the United States.

Concerns about Biden’s Ability to Win a Nationwide General Election

In an interview with CBS, Phillips expressed his concern about President Biden’s ability to win a nationwide general election against his likely competitor, former president Donald Trump. While he acknowledged Biden’s “spectacular job” as President, Phillips emphasized that this election is about the future and stated, “I will not sit still and not be quiet in the face of numbers that are so clearly saying that we’re going to be facing an emergency next November.”

A Gallup poll released this week indicated a decline in Biden’s job approval rating among Democrats, falling 11% in the last month to 75%, the lowest rating he has received among Democrats during his presidency. Overall, Biden’s approval rating stands at 37%, with only 5% of Republicans approving of his performance.

Democratic Party Reactions and Backing

In addition to the concerns expressed by Phillips, Mr. Biden has also drawn criticism from some Democrats in New Hampshire for diluting the state’s influence in the 2024 primary calendar. Ray Buckley, the state party chairman, warned that this could result in an “embarrassment” from “an insurgent candidate, serious or not.”

However, it is worth noting that President Biden continues to have the support of the overwhelming majority of establishment Democrats and donors. In a fundraising email for Mr. Biden, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz subtly referenced Phillips, stating that people in the state sometimes “make political side shows for themselves,” and reaffirmed Minnesota’s love for Joe Biden.

Assessment of Phillips’ Presidential Bid

Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross referred to Phillips’ presidential bid as a “moon shot” due to his limited name recognition outside of Minnesota. Cross explained that many candidates announce their bid for president to gain media attention and elevate their profile, an advantage that being a member of Congress alone does not provide.

While acknowledging the decline in Biden’s national poll numbers, Cross cautioned against using them as projections for the 2024 election. She argued that national poll numbers this far in advance of an election cycle are typically not indicative of future outcomes. There is a significant amount of time between now and November, and unforeseen events or shifts in public sentiment can drastically impact the political landscape.

Other Democratic Primary Challengers

At present, two other Democrats plan to challenge President Biden in the primaries. These candidates are self-help author Marianne Williamson and left-wing talk show host Cenk Uyghur. It is also worth noting that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initially planned to run as a Democrat but later changed course and decided to run as an independent candidate unaffiliated with the main political parties.

Overall, Phillips’ primary challenge reflects the increased scrutiny and unease within the Democratic Party regarding President Biden’s leadership and electoral prospects. While his chances of winning the primary are slim, his bid serves as a reminder that political dynamics can evolve, and internal party dissent is not uncommon. It remains to be seen how this challenge will shape the political landscape and influence the Democratic Party’s path forward.