Council to Harris: Learn from Trump on Border Security

He was the first to formally warn about Joe Biden's high age - with such great seriousness that he himself challenged the president with a White House campaign. Congressman Dean Phillips has become something of a truth-teller within the Democrats. Now he urges Kamala Harris to move towards the political center - and to learn from Donald Trump.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: September 15 2024

Council to Harris: Learn from Trump on Border Security
Photo: Erin Hooley/AP/TT

Loud Violinist The dramatic news from President Biden that he would not run for re-election was somewhat of a vindication for Phillips. His protest campaign against Biden, which began last fall and ended in March, was a stance against what Phillips believes is a party culture that "rewards bad behavior" and lacks pragmatism. I wasn't the one who orchestrated Biden's withdrawal, maybe the violinist who played a little too loudly, he laughs. In the end, I represented the voters, and a majority wanted another candidate. Now I'm glad to see the optimism the initiative may have led to. Phillips says he wishes Kamala Harris had gone through a primary-like process or a series of hearings before being appointed presidential candidate. But he praises her leadership and the way she has united the Democrats. Considering the circumstances, we have the best candidate. And she chose a wonderful vice presidential candidate in Tim Walz. Walz is the governor of Phillips' home state of Minnesota, where climate initiatives have been taken, free school lunches have been introduced, and abortion rights have been strengthened.

Can Give a Match

With Harris as a candidate, the Democrats have gone from a near-certain loss to actually being able to compete against Donald Trump, Phillips believes. What must the party colleague then think about to win in November? Strength is crucial for how people vote. They want a president who powerfully addresses insecurities, both economic and physical, he says. Harris must show that she understands voters and is solution-oriented. Phillips himself is preparing to return to the business world. His family owns a spirits distillery, and he has run ice cream and coffee companies. But he is open to continuing in politics in some form. I know I would have made a good president. Now I hope both parties understand that they need to broaden themselves and engage people with different perspectives and backgrounds. Born in 1969 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Educated at Brown University in Rhode Island and the University of Minnesota. After completing his economics degree, he was appointed CEO of the family business, Phillips Distilling Company – a position he held until 2012. Entrepreneur Phillips has also worked with several startup companies, including a successful ice cream company, and founded a coffee chain. In 2018, he challenged the incumbent Minnesota Republican Erik Paulsen and won a seat in the House of Representatives in Washington DC. He has been re-elected twice but is not running for re-election this fall. Known as a centrist, he sits on the House's Foreign Affairs and Small Business Committees. In frustration over Joe Biden's high age – and after trying to get several governors to challenge the president – he launched his own presidential campaign in October last year. He received 20 percent of the vote in New Hampshire. In March, Phillips put his campaign on hold and announced his support for Biden. During the campaign, he repeatedly emphasized his respect for Biden, but said he was too old. He is married and has two children from a previous marriage. Source: Phillips' website, among others The Democrats' Kamala Harris currently has the support of 48.4 percent of Americans, and the Republicans' Donald Trump has the support of 47.3 percent, according to the political website Real Clear Politics' compilation of current polls. However, the USA's complicated electoral system means that the election on November 5 will be decided in a few so-called swing states. This is how the candidates' support looks in percent in these states. The number of electoral votes in each swing state is in parentheses, and to win the presidential election, a candidate must receive the support of at least 270 electoral votes. Pennsylvania (19): Trump: 47.6; Harris: 47.6 Georgia (16): Trump: 48.3; Harris: 48 North Carolina (16): Trump: 47.9; Harris: 47.8 Michigan (15): Harris: 48.3; Trump: 47.1 Arizona (11): Trump: 48.4; Harris: 46.8 Wisconsin (10): Harris: 48.7; Trump: 47.2 Nevada (6): Harris: 48; Trump: 47.4 The presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 5. Source: Real Clear Politics

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By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

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