President Joe Biden’s internal poll numbers are just as low as his public ones, according to sources. Mike Donilon, Biden’s top political adviser, consistently voices concerns about the president’s approval ratings in weekly political meetings. However, Biden’s team remains confident based on their previous successful campaigns and surpassing expectations. Despite dismissing Rep. Dean Phillips’ primary challenge, some advisors share the uneasiness that many Democrats feel about Biden’s age surpassing his approval rating. Despite this, they believe Biden remains the best option for Democrats in 2024, noting that the election will be decided by small margins. Leading Democrats hold themselves partially responsible for Biden’s weak support, as months of speculation on alternative candidates undermined the credibility of those who never came close to being replaced. Some Democrats worry that discussing alternatives to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris fuels the desire for a third-party run, which could have disastrous consequences. Party leaders stress the importance of supporting Biden and Harris rather than indulging in fantasies about other potential candidates. While Phillips launched a primary challenge, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on Biden’s position. The president’s advisors cite his ability to unite Democrats across ideological spectrums and his success against Trump in the 2020 election as evidence of his strength as a candidate. They attribute concerns about his age to Democrats who underestimate Trump’s competitiveness. Despite the chatter, advisors believe that these concerns will fade once voters are faced with the choice between Biden and his Republican challengers. Overall, they view the notion of a potential replacement candidate as unlikely to improve their chances against Trump. Phillips’ campaign is not seen as a serious threat to Biden’s reelection. In fact, many Democrats have not engaged in conversations about Phillips’ campaign and do not believe he will make a significant impact. Despite speculation, Biden’s political position remains relatively stable, and his advisors remain resolute in their support for his campaign.
Dean Phillips Launches Primary Challenge, Amidst Democrat Dismissal of Concerns over Joe Biden’s Reelection Bid
