WASHINGTON — Rep. , D-Minn., announced on Friday his challenge to President for the Democratic nomination for president, motivated by his belief that Biden cannot secure victory in the upcoming general election.
During an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker, Phillips expressed his concern, stating, “If the election were held today, President Biden would lose, posing an existential threat to the future of the United States of America. Under my leadership, this will not be allowed to happen.”
Although Phillips formally announced his candidacy on Thursday, he was cautious about directly positioning himself as Biden’s opposition. He clarified, “I’m not running against Joe Biden… I’m running for the future. Yes, we have policy differences, but I’m steadfast in my Democratic principles.”
In response to questions about Biden’s leadership, Phillips cited the situation at the southern border as an example where he believes Democrats have fallen short. He stated, “The circumstances at our southern border, which I have personally visited twice, clearly demonstrate our failure to address the issue adequately.”
Phillips confirmed that he will not run as an independent candidate and encouraged other contenders, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, to join the Democratic nomination race.
Asserting his commitment to the Democratic nominee, Phillips emphasized, “I will not criticize or undermine the president. Whether it’s me or someone else, I promise to dedicate every ounce of my energy and every moment of my day to ensure their electoral success, because that’s how crucial it is at this moment.”
The congressman also expressed his belief that the U.S. political system is “broken” and “corrupt,” emphasizing the need for a fresh perspective outside the confines of Washington’s 50-year establishment.
In response to Phillips’ announcement, Kevin Munoz, spokesperson for Biden’s campaign, issued a statement affirming, “President Biden is grateful for the historic, unified support he enjoys from the Democratic party for his reelection. The upcoming election holds immense importance for the American people, and our campaign is tirelessly working to mobilize the winning coalition that President Biden uniquely represents, enabling us to once again defeat the MAGA Republicans in November.”
Phillips initially revealed his presidential bid during an interview with CBS News.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
