Overview
- Congressman Dean Phillips has announced his decision to challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic Party's 2024 nomination, citing the President's age and a need for fresh leadership. This move has drawn criticism from both parties with some fearing it could weaken Biden ahead of general elections.
- Phillips is basing much of his campaign on concerns about Biden's age, electability, and approval ratings, particularly highlighting worries that Biden is too old to be effective for another four years, with 70% of Democrats and 77% of the country sharing this opinion.
- In response to Phillips' challenge, President Biden undertook a trip to Minnesota, where his campaign tried to diminish potential support for Phillips by inviting past Phillips' donors to a Biden-led fundraiser, implying a counter-strategy.
- Major figures in the Democratic party, like Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Chair of Minnesota Democrats, Ken Martin, have publicly voiced their support for Biden and criticized Phillips' campaign, indicating a lack of support from party leaders.
- Phillips' campaign strategy includes a focus on New Hampshire's primary but is considered to carry little operational viability by experts. Other Democrats criticize Phillips' run as potentially damaging Biden ahead of the general election.