
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Dean Phillips, who launched a long-shot presidential primary challenge against President Joe Biden, has remained silent in the wake of the Democratic uproar following Biden’s debate performance on Thursday night. On Friday morning, however, the Minnesota Democrat posted a cryptic message on social media platform X: “Speak only if it improves upon the silence. -Gandhi,” Phillips wrote.
Phillips’ Presidential Bid
Phillips entered the presidential race last fall with a central message: While he considered Biden a good man, he doubted the president’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in a general election. This stance was met with resistance from fellow Democrats and primary voters, who viewed Phillips’ criticism of Biden’s age as unconstructive.
Urging Others to Join
Before deciding to run himself, Phillips publicly called for other Democrats to enter the race. In August, he specifically appealed for a “moderate governor” to step up.
Campaign Struggles
On the campaign trail, Phillips struggled to gain traction. He lost to a write-in campaign supporting Biden in New Hampshire and garnered less than 2 percent of the vote in South Carolina, where Biden won 96 percent.
Withdrawal and Endorsement
Phillips ended his presidential campaign in early March and endorsed Biden. In his withdrawal statement, Phillips emphasized the need for alternatives in a democracy but acknowledged that he was not the alternative voters sought. “It is clear that Joe Biden is OUR candidate and OUR opportunity to demonstrate what type of country America is and intends to be,” he wrote.
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