President Joe Biden is widely expected to be at the top of the Democratic Party's ticket in next year's presidential election.
Yet in a move that some observers say should alarm the White House, one Democratic congressman has decided to mount a challenge of his own.
According to The Hill, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips announced his candidacy at an event held in New Hampshire late last week.
Phillips was quoted as telling supporters that he is not working "in opposition to "President Biden, who has my affection and my gratitude."
Instead, the three-term Minnesota congressman purported to be running in order to advance a pair of "core convictions."
"I am the Democratic candidate who can win — who can win — the 2024 election," Phillips declared before adding, "And second, it is time for the torch to be passed to a new generation of American leaders right here all around the country and all around the world."
Phillips spoke more about his campaign launch this past Friday with CBS News host Robert Costa, saying, "I think President Biden has done a spectacular job for our country."
BREAKING: Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) is running for president, challenging Pres. Biden in the Democratic primary race.
He tells @costareports and @CBSMornings he won't "be quiet" as polling numbers "are so clearly saying that we’re going to be facing an emergency next November.” pic.twitter.com/7tP0QJaKgJ
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) October 27, 2023
"But it's not about the past. This is an election about the future." Phillips continued. "I will not sit still, I will not be quiet in numbers that are so clearly saying that we're going to be facing an emergency next November."
Multiple polls show that Biden is lagging behind former President Donald Trump, who currently enjoys a massive lead over his GOP primary rivals.
What's more, Axios reported in September that a CNN survey found over two-thirds of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters would prefer to have someone else.
The Hill spoke with an unnamed Democratic consultant who said that such polling data is indicative of major problems.
"I have to say at this moment in time, the White House should be terrified because the president, while he is doing a good job in terms of policy, is looking at plummeting numbers, hemorrhaging support and Democrats who, like me, are sort of scared to go on the record and say what they think but are increasingly terrified," the consultant explained.
"So if you have a young, energetic Democrat who’s willing to step up, I think the White House should be really concerned," the figure added.
