Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and declared his endorsement for President Joe Biden.
In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, Phillips acknowledged that while there was a demand for an alternative, he realized that he was not the best choice for that role. He affirms that Joe Biden is the candidate for the party and the country’s opportunity to showcase its values and aspirations.
Phillips’ decision to withdraw from the Democratic presidential race came shortly after GOP candidate Nikki Haley announced her suspension of her own bid.
This move solidifies the widely anticipated rematch between President Joe Biden and twice-impeached former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
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Phillips’ departure further diminishes the competitiveness of the Democratic primary field. On Super Tuesday, Biden secured victories in numerous states, although he lost the U.S. territory of American Samoa to lesser-known Democrat Jason Palmer.
Biden’s campaign has transitioned into general election mode for weeks, particularly after his success in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Phillips had hinted at an announcement on Super Tuesday, suggesting that he would be “making decisions over the coming days.”
In a post on X, Phillips expressed gratitude for the support and indicated that he would be considering how to best contribute to the goal of defeating Donald Trump.
Phillips had initially pledged to stay in the campaign until the Democratic National Convention, but financial constraints forced him to scale back operations, leading to layoffs and event cancellations in February.
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Despite launching his campaign as a younger alternative to Biden, Phillips, 55, struggled to differentiate himself from the incumbent president and failed to secure significant financial backing.
Phillips aligned closely with Biden’s agenda in Congress and did not present substantial policy distinctions. He previously hinted at a potential Cabinet that could include figures like Elon Musk and Bill Ackman if he were elected president.
Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, another potential challenger to Biden, announced that he would not pursue a presidential bid after considering a third-party run.
As Biden solidified his hold on the Democratic nomination, his age remains a notable vulnerability, although it wasn’t the sole factor contributing to Phillips’ campaign challenges. The general election is shaping up to be a rematch between Biden and Trump, with Biden already pivoting his focus towards the upcoming race.
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Recent February polls indicate that concerns about President Biden’s age and mental sharpness remain prominent among voters, despite improvements in his ratings on other key issues such as the economy.
These concerns have intensified following the release of a Department of Justice report by special counsel Robert Hur on February 8, which examined Biden’s handling of classified documents.
While the report cleared Biden of criminal wrongdoing related to document storage, it described him as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” attracting public attention. Biden responded angrily to the characterization, asserting that his memory is intact and reaffirming his competence.
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