After months of teasing that he intended to run to challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic nomination, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) has announced his candidacy. According to POLITICO, Sarah stressed over the weekend that an announcement could come as early as Friday. However, his presidential tour bus has already been spotted.
Previously on Tuesday as David Strom on our sister site RedState coveredLocal radio host Jason DeRusha posted photos of the tour bus on his X account. As DeRusha noted, the Dean24.com website that appears on the tour bus is not yet lively.
MEET: Dean Phillips’ bus for the president is on its way. Photo from my friend Amy Waller, who sells German wine, on her way to Ohio. Bus shouts “Make America Affordable Again” and uses its slogan “Everyone’s Invited!” The website is not lively, but was registered on October 12. pic.twitter.com/cT44n4Eo0x
— Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) October 24, 2023
During the summer, Phillips frequently appeared on Sunday shows, arguing that the Democratic Party needed a recent candidate. While praising Biden’s alleged achievements as president, Phillips also raised issues related to his age. The concern is shared by many voters, including other Democrats.
Until recently, Phillips wasn’t sure whether he would be the main contender. However, he had no fondness for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. too much trust, saying she doesn’t even think he’s a Democrat. RFK Jr. and so he ultimately changed his affiliation to run as an independent rather than a Democratic challenger to Biden.
As Spencer reported earlier this month, Phillips stepped down as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee due to “beliefs related to the 2024 presidential race” that are “out of alignment” with most other House Democrats.
Earlier Tuesday on HuffPost published the report filled with comments from Democratic lawmakers, named and unnamed, who openly condemned Phillips’ candidacy or at least downplayed it. The members mentioned included Sen. Peter Velch (VT), Richard Blumenthal (CT) and Elizabeth Warren (MA), the latter who ran for the 2020 nomination against Biden, and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (CA).
The next Democrat mentioned was Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (IL) for his quip that “buses leaving Minnesota attract public attention,” which likely refers not only to Dean Phillips’ bus spotted earlier, but also to Senator Eugene McCarthy’s (D) bus. -MN) moved against President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.
“Philips spokesman Taylor Deacon declined to comment,” HuffPost reports.
It’s probably too early for polls to see what percentage of the vote Phillips could get. RealClearPolitics (RCP) so far. contains only Biden and Marianne Williamson, and the president has a +61.3 advantage. While it may still be early according to polls, Phillips has already done so missed the deadline for submitting the application in Nevada, a key early state.
Phillips hasn’t posted much on his X campaign account in recent days, so there isn’t much information about his run for president there. His most recent post, currently pinned from October 17, is a video message that declares in part that “Everyone is invited,” which appears to be a campaign slogan of sorts for him.
But he made news on Tuesday for expressing his willingness to aid House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) win the gavel as speaker by not participating in the vote. Emmer, however, held the Republican nomination for only a few hours before resigning due to a lack of support from other Republicans.
Are you disgusted by the ads attacking gigantic money and the erosion of civility in our politics? Me too. So, a little decency to start the day. Optimism is as contagious as fear and everyone is invited! (All volunteers and music: American Treasure Ryan Miller from @Guster.)🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/5IK3Xpqpdy
— Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@deanbphillips) October 17, 2022
Dysfunction in the House is a national and global security problem.
I would not take part in the speaker’s vote if Tom Emmer finances our government at the negotiated level, introduces bills on aid to Ukraine and Israel in parliament, and commits to introducing changes in the regulations to make Congress work for the people.🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/K4VXJIE7aQ
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) October 24, 2023
