Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said she was dumbfounded over Rep. Dean Phillips’ (D-Minn.) recent announcement to run for president, questioning the distinctiveness of his campaign from that of current President Joe Biden.
What Happened: Jayapal, during an NBC’s “Meet the Press” interview, said, "I'm sorry, I have no idea what he is running on that is different from what President Biden is running on.”
"He took the same bold stances that President Biden has taken in this country on domestic issues. And I really don't see what he is doing," Jayapal said.
See Also: Team Biden Is Readying New Nuclear Bomb
Why It Matters: Phillips, a three-term Minnesota congressman and business tycoon, launched his challenging bid on Oct. 27 in Concord, New Hampshire. His decision to compete was spurred by polls suggesting that voters are apprehensive about a potential Biden-Trump rematch in 2024.
Phillips expressed readiness to compete, stating, "I believe that the president is one of the few — one of the few — Democrats that can lose to Donald Trump, and that's why somebody has got to compete. I'm ready. I'm very ready."
However, it appears that Phillips has not gained significant support from within the Democratic party, including from his home state.
This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
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