MANCHESTER, N.H. — The 2024 campaign trail isn’t panning out quite like Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips had hoped.
Phillips, who currently serves in the U.S. House, launched a primary challenge against President Joe Biden last month. In his longshot bid to unseat the president, the Minnesota lawmaker said he was aiming for 20% support among Democratic and undeclared voters in New Hampshire by the end of November.
So far, that support hasn’t materialized. A Nov. 17 poll published by CNN and the University of New Hampshire found the multimillionaire at 10% among Democrats and independent voters in the Granite State. That’s compared to Biden’s over 60%.
Phillips’ candidacy has left some New Hampshire voters wondering why he’s challenging the president, since Phillips has supported nearly all of Biden’s signature policy achievements in Congress.
The lawmaker has cited fear of Biden’s age, 81, and his ability to take on former President Donald Trump. Here’s a closer look at why, two months from the first-in-the-nation primary, the former gelato mogul believes he’s a better option for Democrats than Biden.
General election fears
Phillips hasn’t read too much into his poor polling numbers, chalking them up to name recognition. The lawmaker told USA TODAY “Biden has had a 50-year head start,” to build his reputation.
When it comes to general election polling, the Minnesotan has repeatedly expressed concern about results showing Trump handily beating…
