Democratic Minnesota Rep. Dean Philips is reportedly considering running against President Joe Biden in the 2024 election.
On Thursday, Philips called New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley in hopes of launching a primary challenge against Biden.
“I called Chairman Buckley yesterday to introduce myself as I contemplate entering the Democratic primary,” the lawmaker confirmed to POLITICO. “It was a very friendly conversation.”
The Minnesota Democrat has repeatedly demanded that Biden run against a rival in the 2024 Democratic primary, blasting the president for not “pass[ing] the torch” to the party’s future leaders.
Earlier this month, Phillips withdrew from the House Democratic leadership amid concerns that his consideration of a primary run was creating a distraction. Over the summer, he spoke with Democratic donors about a future bid.
“He’s doing the things you would do if you’re running — or if you’ve not officially decided and you’re trying to check what the reception would be,” said an anonymous New Hampshire Democrat operative.
Political consultant Jim Demers, however, thinks that Phillips running against Biden would be “a ridiculous idea.”
“Democrats in New Hampshire support Biden, so if his mission is to divide Democrats and help Donald Trump, then that’s what he’s doing,” Demers said.
This comes as a new poll suggests that Biden is in danger of losing the 2024 presidential election following dissatisfaction from the public.
According to the survey conducted by the Associated Press recently, only 21 percent of adults express confidence in the president’s performance. Among them, 36 percent are Democrats, whereas only 7 percent are Republicans.
Meanwhile, only 24 percent of the population looks at the economy in a positive light, with a staggering 76 percent considering it in a state of decline.
“Biden’s handling of specific issues: Negative views on national economy, gun policy, and immigration; only a third approve. Slightly more positive on student loans,” the AP noted of the president’s performance.
Democratic voters also appear to be losing faith in Biden, as YouGov’s poll shows that 85 percent of Democrats had a “very favorable” or “somewhat favorable” opinion of Biden. In contrast, 87 percent of Democratic voters describe former President Donald Trump as “somewhat unfavorable” or “very unfavorable.”
