HANOVER, New Hampshire — Insurgent Democratic presidential candidate 2024 Rep. Dean Phillips has plowed $5 million of his own fortune into keeping his campaign afloat and has vowed to do what is “necessary” to unseat President Biden.
“This is the most important philanthropic effort of my life, and it’s expensive, and I’m putting up $5 million — which is a lot more than expected,” said Phillips (D-Minn.), one of the richest members of Congress with an estimated net worth of around $77 million — thanks to his family’s longtime ownership of the eponymous Minneapolis-based distillery and his former leadership at gelato firm Talenti.
“We’re now starting to see Americans from all over the country starting to help us without any real financial mechanism, without any access to the Democratic machine or donor lists, and it’s really exciting,” the 54-year-old said. on, “so I’ll do what’s necessary, because I think it’s important.”
With four days to go before the New Hampshire primary, Phillips stormed the Granite State in a last-ditch effort to take advantage of President Biden who was not on the ballot.
On Thursday night, Phillips came to Hanover, home of Dartmouth College, where dozens of students and local residents turned out to hear him speak, including endorsements from 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
Dean Phillips held a gathering at Dartmouth’s Hanover Inn. Aristide Economopoulos
A poll from the American Research Group has Phillips at 28% in New Hampshire, but Biden remains the favorite, helped by a grassroots write-in campaign spearheaded by a state Democratic Party leader.
On average, Biden polled at 58.0%, in New Hampshire, while Phillips was far behind at 9.8%, per RealClearPolitics.
“I think we’re going to surprise and I think that’s when this campaign will really start,” Phillips told The Post after his Hanover rally. “I guarantee you, the president, unfortunately, will be weak.”
Phillips has based his campaign around his and Biden’s respective ages, arguing that the 81-year-old president is “dangerous” to the country. He also lamented the border crisis and the state of the economy, and recently embraced Medicare for All, compensation and a universal basic income.
Former 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang endorsed Phillips on Thursday. Aristide Economopoulos
Attendees at Phillips’ Dartmouth rally praised the lawmaker for being willing to campaign against Biden when other Democrats would not and said they admired his spirit.
“I’m not sure she has a chance, but I really admire her courage to stand up to the DNC and run,” voter Alyssa Smith told The Post.
“I don’t think any party should think they have decided who should run. I think more people should run and the voters should decide.”
Phillips has had issues with some state Democratic parties, such as in Florida, deciding to have only Biden on the ballot and is seeking action to overturn their decision.
Dartmouth student Urs Walter told The Post he likes Phillips’ moderate views and his “progressive” policies.
“He is very eloquent, his attitude. I like what he said about wanting to develop this country,” added another participant, Gabriele Currier.
“We need young blood,” agreed Tracy Moloney. “We need someone to defeat Trump.”
Others said they were less sure about making a statement with a vote for Phillips.
“I like the underdog, until you lose badly,” said one New Hampshire voter who declined to give his name. “I think he has a chance, I mean I hope he does well here. Joe Biden shot himself in the foot.”
Another New Hampshire resident and college student, Kevin Burman, added that while “I respect his principle to at least run and be a challenger to President Biden,” he doesn’t really “trust” Phillips as a candidate because of what he called. His “flip-flopping” on the policy.
After the New Hampshire vote on Jan. 23, Phillips hopes to compete at least through the March 5 Super Tuesday contest, with particular emphasis on Feb. 3 in South Carolina and Feb. 27 in Michigan.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
