Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips Launches, a House Democrat, has made a surprising and daring move by formally announcing his presidential campaign, challenging the incumbent President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary. Phillips Launches filed to run in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, a symbolic step that marks the beginning of his uphill battle to unseat the sitting president.
With a modest gathering of supporters, campaign staff, and curious onlookers outside the New Hampshire State House in Concord, Phillips Launches emphasized the need for a new generation of Democratic leaders. He declared, “I am running for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States because, my friends, it is time for a change. And I am ready to lead our great nation to a secure and more prosperous future.”
Phillips Launches’ primary motivation for entering the race was his concern that President Biden, whom he described as a “terrific president,” might not be able to secure a victory in a general election rematch against former President Donald Trump. Initially, Phillips Launches attempted to encourage Biden to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders and persuade other Democratic candidates to join the primary. When these efforts proved unsuccessful, he decided to embark on this challenging journey himself, stating, “This was not about me. But my inability to attract other candidates, to inspire the president to recognize that it is time, compels me to serve my country because it appears that President Joe Biden is going to lose the next election.”
For months, Phillips Launches has been vocal about his belief that President Biden might be a weak candidate in a general election due to his age and low approval ratings. However, his decision to launch a presidential campaign comes at a time when the Democratic Party is attempting to unite behind President Biden, fend off potential independent spoiler candidates, and showcase the administration’s achievements to voters. Biden’s allies have described Phillips’ candidacy as a distraction that would only highlight the president’s vulnerabilities.
Despite the criticism and challenges, Phillips and his campaign team are determined to mount a serious challenge to President Biden, extending their efforts beyond New Hampshire. Phillips Launches argued that running simply to raise his national profile would be “foolish” given the sacrifices and adversities that come with a presidential campaign. Steve Schmidt, a former Republican operative who now advises Phillips’ campaign, revealed their plans to hold more than 119 town halls in early-voting Democratic primary states like New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Michigan. Schmidt, who worked on the campaigns of former President George W. Bush and late Sen. John McCain, emphasized the importance of winning the first race to secure the Democratic nomination.
Phillips Launches has wasted no time in challenging President Biden on policy issues. He highlighted rising costs as a burden on Americans and suggested redirecting foreign aid packages earmarked for Ukraine and Israel toward addressing domestic concerns. Furthermore, Phillips praised former President Trump for his ability to mobilize alienated voters and intends to focus on immigration, an issue where the Biden administration has faced criticism.
One of the significant challenges Phillips Launches faces is his lack of name recognition compared to other potential Democratic presidential contenders, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom or Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Additionally, his decision to prioritize New Hampshire, after the Democratic National Committee reshuffled the primary calendar, might affect his chances in South Carolina’s primary.
Phillips Launches’ campaign strategy has created tension within the Democratic Party, as President Biden has chosen not to file for the New Hampshire Democratic primary due to the state’s failure to comply with the national party’s revised nominating calendar. Instead, Democrats plan to launch a write-in campaign for the president. With Phillips’ entry into the race, this effort becomes even more crucial for New Hampshire Democrats to prevent an early primary defeat for President Biden.
Phillips Launches has already allocated $50,000 for ad time in the state, demonstrating his commitment to the New Hampshire primary. While he initially used his personal wealth to kickstart his campaign, his campaign team has clarified that he will not self-fund his bid and will rely on small-dollar donors.
In his quest for the presidency, Phillips hopes to be a transformative force in American politics, emphasizing the need for a change in leadership. He believes that President Biden, despite his merits, might not be the best candidate to secure a victory in the upcoming election. A September CNN poll showed that two-thirds of Democrats preferred a different nominee, but the majority still believed that President Biden would be the party’s nominee. Concerns about Biden’s age were prevalent among Democratic voters, with nearly half citing it as their biggest concern about his 2024 campaign.
Phillips Launches’ journey from a mild-mannered moderate who helped Democrats win control of the House in 2018 to a vocal advocate for new leadership within the party has cost him support within the Democratic Party. He stepped down from his leadership position in the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee due to disagreements over his stance on President Biden’s re-election bid.
Despite his outreach to President Biden and his efforts to encourage other Democratic leaders to launch primary challenges, Phillips decided to take matters into his own hands and formally enter the presidential race. While the odds may be stacked against him, he remains committed to his mission of offering a fresh perspective and new leadership to the American people.
In conclusion, Representative Dean Phillips Launches has launched a presidential campaign, challenging incumbent President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary. Phillips Launches’ decision stems from his concern that President Biden may not be the strongest candidate in a general election, and his campaign will extend beyond New Hampshire. While facing challenges and criticism, Phillips Launches is determined to bring a new generation of leadership to the forefront of American politics, emphasizing the need for change within the Democratic Party.