Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips claims to be gaining momentum in New Hampshire, despite polls showing him in the single digits in the state. Meanwhile, President Biden will not appear on New Hampshire's primary ballot next week, as he did not file due to a change in the party calendar. New Hampshire chose to keep its early contest status and did not accept the change, so voters who wish to support Biden will have to write his name in. A recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows that 69% of Democratic primary voters plan to do just that, while 7% support Phillips and 6% back author Marianne Williamson.
Speaking from New Hampshire, Phillips stated that he would be thrilled if he achieved 20% in the primary. Previously, a campaign advisor had cited a specific goal of 42%. Phillips clarified that the 42% figure was a reference to Senator Gene McCarthy's achievement in 1968, when he ran against a weak Democratic incumbent. Phillips, however, acknowledged that his current rise in the polls is significant and achieving a result in the 20s would be an extraordinary achievement.
When asked about his stance on the border, Phillips criticized President Biden for not doing enough to address the issue. He emphasized that the border crisis is a bipartisan failure that has plagued the nation for decades. Phillips proposed implementing barriers, utilizing technology, and collaborating with Mexican authorities to strengthen border security. Additionally, he highlighted the need for comprehensive immigration reforms to address the systemic issues that force migrants to seek asylum in the United States.
Phillips suggested forcing the adjudication and filing of asylum cases to occur in the countries of origin. By doing so, migrants would be protected locally while their cases are processed. If they qualify for asylum, they would be welcomed into the United States with financial assistance to start their new lives. Phillips criticized the lack of progress on this issue by previous generations of Democrats and Republicans, and expressed his determination to solve the problem if elected.
Regarding President Biden's consideration of asylum changes, Phillips stated that getting things done in a democracy requires relationship building, which he believes Biden lacks with both progressive and conservative members of Congress. Phillips touted his experience working with Republicans on bipartisan solutions, including the bipartisan dignity act currently pending in Congress.
As the New Hampshire primary approaches, Phillips remains hopeful that his campaign will continue to gain traction. He believes that fostering competition, rather than a coronation, within the Democratic Party is crucial to finding the best candidate who can defeat Donald Trump or potential Republican nominee Nikki Haley. Phillips expressed his excitement for the upcoming primary and emphasized his commitment to under-promising and over-delivering.
