Congressman Dean Phillips has revealed that he has spent $5 million on his campaign so far, in an effort to increase his name recognition and build support. While this figure represents his overall expenditure and not just in New Hampshire, it still demonstrates the significant investment the congressman is willing to make in his campaign. With approximately 90% of the vote in, it is estimated that this expenditure translates to around 23,000 votes, equating to a cost of $216 per vote.
When compared to the 19 million votes Joe Biden received in the previous nominating contest, it becomes evident that Congressman Phillips would need to spend approximately $4.1 billion to achieve a similar level of support. However, the congressman argues that, as a businessperson, he understands the importance of upfront investment in building name and brand awareness. Once this initial groundwork is laid, the costs associated with gaining further support will decrease significantly.
Despite acknowledging his resource limitations compared to Biden, Congressman Phillips believes that the former vice president cannot secure victory in the upcoming election due to his low approval ratings, which hover around 33% to 34%. He also highlights that Biden is trailing behind a candidate who is under indictment, has experienced business failures, and has a turbulent track record. The congressman suggests that these factors make Biden vulnerable in the battleground states.
Additionally, the congressman references comments made by Nikki Haley, asserting that she would beat Joe Biden by double digits in a general election. However, he clarifies that his intention is to vote for a Democrat, expressing his desire for a Democratic candidate to secure victory. He highlights that many Democrats are now contemplating the possibility of voting for an alternative candidate, given the current circumstances.
The mention of Democrats voting for a Republican in the recent New Hampshire primary is also addressed. It is clarified that only registered Democrats who changed their party affiliation by October 6th were able to participate in the Republican primary. An assurance is given that the number of Democrats who voted for Nikki Haley does not accurately represent the party as a whole.
In summary, Congressman Dean Phillips provides insight into his campaign expenditure and strategy, emphasizing the importance of upfront investment in building name recognition and support. He expresses concerns about Joe Biden's approval ratings and suggests that many Democrats may consider voting for an alternative candidate.
