While appearing on “The Chad Hartman Show,” Democrat Representative from Minnesota Dean Phillips raised eyebrows after answering a question about Joe Biden possibly running for re-election.
Phillips expressed the need for a change in leadership, citing Biden’s age and the Democrat’s need for younger politicians. This is a new development in the world of politics, as nearly all other Democrat politicians have been very shy to express a definitive view of a 2024 Biden presidential run.
The exchange began as host Chad Hartman asked, “Do you want Joe Biden to run in 2024? Because the number of Democrats who don’t is staggeringly high.”
Phillips responded, “I have respect for Joe Biden. I think he has, despite some mistakes and some missteps, despite his age, I think he’s a man of decency, of good principle, of compassion, of empathy, and of strength. But to answer your question directly, which I know is quite rare, Chad, no, I don’t. I think the country would be well-served by a new generation of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats to step up.”
He went on to say, “Joe Biden has served our country admirably, with principal and with decency at a time when we surely needed it. “But, I’m part of a caucus here in Congress where our three top leaders are over 80 years old, where the president will be over 80 in the next election. And I think it’s time for a generational change. I’m not shy to say that. I do believe that most of my colleagues feel the same way.”
He then went on to promote the idea of seeking centrist politicians, rather than those on the far-right and far-left. He said, “I hope we see a resurgence of the principled center-right Republican Party re-form. And that’s why I’m so upset about Democrats actually taking out the very types of Republicans that could help do so: the Anthony Gonzalez’s of the world, the Peter Meijer’s of the world, the Fred Upton’s of the world; good Republicans who either retired because the writing was on the wall, or who will, unfortunately, be facing primaries that are unwinnable. We need to have more principle in our politics, we need common sense, and I’m afraid that both parties are part of a significant problem that Americans should take heed of. And I do believe political competition would be healthy.”
