Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, has called for more Democrats to enter the 2024 primary against President Biden, arguing that the party and the country are in "need of competition."
During an appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Phillips refrained from making an announcement about his own political aspirations but urged other Democrats to challenge Biden.
Phillips highlighted the desire among Democrats for alternatives to the current candidates in the primary. He cited a recent New York Times poll, which revealed that 55% of Democratic voters, including 83% of those under 30, want more choices.
Additionally, Phillips noted that around 76% of young Democrats identify as independents. He emphasized the importance of heeding this call for competition, warning that failure to do so could have disastrous consequences.
While Phillips praised Biden as an "amazing man" who has effectively led the country through challenging times, he criticized the Democratic Party for not offering more choices to the American people. He pointed out that the Republican Party currently has 12 options for primary voters, while the Democratic Party only has three.
Phillips stressed the significance of competition in a democracy, asserting that it leads to better outcomes. He called on Democrats who are well-positioned, well-prepared, and possess good character and competency to jump into the race.
When asked about Biden's chances of defeating former President Trump in a potential rematch, Phillips expressed confidence in Biden's ability to win. However, he argued that the only way to objectively determine this is through a competitive process. While Phillips considers himself "well-positioned" for the presidency, he stated that he is not ready to run at this time and has not made a decision.
Phillips also defended Vice President Harris, describing her as "absolutely qualified" for the job. He criticized the portrayal of Harris and urged people to spend time with her and observe her before drawing conclusions. Phillips emphasized that the role of the vice president is challenging and should not be underestimated.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Biden campaign did not respond to requests for comment. The DNC has thrown its full support behind Biden's reelection bid, passing a resolution at its winter meeting to commit its "full and complete support" for Biden and Harris.
The DNC has also stated that there will be no primary debates between Biden and his two challengers, Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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