‘I Was the Only One Willing to Say it’: House Dem Who Ran Against Biden in Primary Accuses Party of Having ‘Suppressed and Disenfranchised’ Voters

Congressman Dean Phillips (D-MN) — the Democratic presidential primary candidate who warned that President Joe Biden could not win the 2024 election due to concerns about his age and mental acuity — sounded off against the party in a scathing interview on Fox News Sunday.

Speaking with anchor Shannon Bream, Phillips accused his party of having “suppressed and disenfranchised” voters by discouraging a full primary against President Biden.

“Tens of millions of Americans voices were ignored and suppressed and disenfranchised,” Phillips said. “I think that’s what, frankly, has led to Trump-ism. People getting tired, being on the sidelines and their voices diminished.”

The congressman noted that he was — prior to the June debate with President-elect Donald Trump — the only elected official in Washington who spoke out against Biden’s chances. Phillips claimed, though, there were plenty of others who agreed with him but feared the ramifications of speaking out.

“I was not the only one that recognized what was likely to happen last week,” said Phillips — a three-term congressman who could not run for his seat thanks to his presidential bid, and is now in his final weeks as a member of Congress. “I was the only one that was willing to say it live. And I think it is that culture of silence and perverse incentives in our political system that is really costing our country. And it’s not unique to one party or the other. It’s a real problem.”

Bream asked Phillips if he’s considering leaving the Democratic party. Here’s how he replied:

“I’d like to try to help my Democratic Party. I think the values and principles that have been the foundation of the Democratic Party now for some generations are important. I think America needs a thoughtful, principled, strong, progressive party and conservative party.

But the parties are not serving American interests right now. And I am deeply concerned. I mean, think about it, Shannon. There’s no party talking about fiscal responsibility. There’s no party that is making its key platform element working together, solving problems, our health care systems an unmitigated disaster. Our immigration system a disaster. No party has a monopoly on ideas. And I’m one of those getting sick and tired of it, trying to represent what I call the exhausted majority — center-right center-left Americans who deserve better.”

Watch above, via Fox.