On a recent episode of Face the Nation, Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota discussed the possibility of challenging President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary. He expressed his belief that more Democrats should enter the race, referencing a New York Times poll that revealed a significant portion of the party’s voters desire more options.
Phillips noted, “What I’m hearing from fellow Democrats is not the desire for an uncontested race, but a genuine contest.” According to the mentioned poll, over half of the Democratic voters are interested in seeing other candidates join the primary.
The Representative further stated that failing to heed this call would be a mistake with potentially grave consequences. He urged those with the right qualifications and strong character to consider participating in the race. He emphasized that what the party and nation need now is a real competition.
As it stands, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson are the only other candidates challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination. Despite Kennedy experiencing a temporary boost in polls, both he and Williamson are often perceived as outliers. Phillips even questioned Kennedy’s alignment with the Democratic Party.
While Phillips has spoken about potentially joining the race, he expressed high regard for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, recognizing Biden’s dedication and integrity. However, he stressed the importance of staying attuned to the people’s voice, cautioning against becoming insular in Washington D.C. He urged his peers to truly listen and respond to the public’s call for broader representation in the primary race.
