Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips, a wealthy businessman in his third term in the House and a Democrat, recently made headlines with his critique of Vice President Kamala Harris, sparking a backlash among her supporters. Phillips, who announced his unlikely bid to challenge President Biden in the primaries last month, made comments suggesting a lack of confidence in Harris should she assume the presidency.
In a conversation with The Atlantic, Phillips voiced opinions he said he’d heard from others closer to Harris, questioning her readiness and capability for the presidency. He noted, “I hear from others who know her a lot better than I do that many think she’s not well positioned.” He added that her approval ratings were even lower than Biden’s, leading to doubts about public faith in her leadership.
Despite these comments, Phillips was cautious, stating that his personal interactions with Harris did not reflect these deficiencies. He also believed that Biden would not replace Harris on the ticket.
The remarks did not sit well with some of Harris’s staunch advocates. CNN commentator and Democratic strategist Karen Finney called for an apology from Phillips, criticizing him for relying on hearsay rather than his own experiences. Robert Garcia, the former mayor of Long Beach, California, also expressed his disappointment on social media, suggesting Phillips was attacking Harris out of desperation.
In a CNN interview, anchor Abby Phillip pressed Phillips on his comments, pointing out his reliance on secondhand information to critique Harris. Phillips reiterated that his statements were based on what others had told him and maintained his positive personal opinion of Harris.
Phillips also speculated on the upcoming presidential race, predicting that former President Donald Trump might choose independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as his running mate, which could pose a significant challenge. He cited a recent poll showing Kennedy’s strong support among younger voters in key battleground states.
Neither Harris nor Phillips’ campaign immediately responded to requests for comments from Fox News Digital regarding these developments.