WASHINGTON — House Democrats expressed bewilderment over Rep. Dean Phillips’ decision to challenge President Joe Biden in the primary, fearing that it will ruin his political career and potentially benefit former President Donald Trump’s bid for the White House.
One House Democrat close to Phillips described his actions as destructive, suggesting that he is sabotaging his own career and damaging his standing within the Democratic Party. They also argued that Phillips has no viable path to victory and called his campaign futile.
Phillips, a moderate Minnesota Democrat, was highly regarded within the Democratic Caucus and considered a rising star in Congress. However, his recent call for a primary challenger against Biden, based on the president’s age, led to his resignation as a co-chair of House Democrats’ policy and communications operation.
Due to his popularity and likability among caucus members, many are reluctant to publicly criticize Phillips’ unlikely presidential bid. However, privately, they struggle to understand his motives and anticipate that it will lead to a dead end for his political future.
One House Democrat expressed confusion and questioned the purpose behind Phillips’ seemingly impulsive and disorganized campaign. They wondered whether he aims to prioritize a specific cause, shed light on neglected issues, or pursue other undisclosed goals.
Expressing concern, the same lawmaker suggested that Phillips’ approach could potentially harm Biden’s standing without clear articulation of his intentions.
Another House Democrat dismissed the campaign with a shrugging emoji, while acknowledging Phillips’ genuine belief in the need for a primary challenge.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and former House member, subtly mocked Phillips’ run in a fundraising email for Biden. However, he refrained from directly naming Phillips and instead highlighted the state’s historical achievements and quirks.
Interestingly, the only sitting House member to ever be elected president was James Garfield in 1880.
Phillips, who filed his candidacy in New Hampshire, has not responded to requests for comment.
Elected during the wave of anti-Trump sentiment in 2018, Phillips has advocated for civility and bipartisanship. However, he has been vocal about the need for generational change within the Democratic Party, challenging the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn due to their advanced ages.
After failed attempts to rally support for his cause, Phillips decided to take matters into his own hands and run against Biden. He cites polling data that suggests voter concerns over Biden’s age and warns of a potential loss to Trump in a general election.
According to Phillips, the American people are expressing these concerns in various settings, including conversations with elected officials and within their communities. He believes that the lack of receptiveness to these concerns fuels the anger prevalent in the country.
Some House Democrats predict that Phillips’ candidacy will ultimately benefit Biden by prompting a quicker evaluation of who stands with the president and who can secure a victory in the general election.
In the 2018 midterms, Phillips won a traditionally Republican seat, flipping it for the Democrats. He has advocated for bipartisanship as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and has collaborated with Republicans on military and entrepreneurship issues.
Phillips is one of the wealthiest members of Congress, having previously run his family’s distilling business and contributed to the launch of companies such as Talenti Gelato and a coffee business.
In a personal interview with NBC News, Phillips emotionally recounted his journey to the Vietnam Memorial, where he found the crash site of his late father, an Army captain, and felt a sense of closure.
As Phillips reflected on this profound experience, he described it as a transformative and empowering moment for himself.
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