Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) said that President Joe Biden has refused to speak to him since the House Democrat announced his rival candidacy.
In an appearance on Fox and Friends, Phillips spoke about his recent performance in the New Hampshire primary, where he won nearly 20% of the vote, and his vision for the future. At the end of the interview, Phillips was asked if he thought Biden would call him.
“I tried him twice, and he didn’t take my call,” he responded. “But I hope he does.”
The response reflects the open tension between the two, following months of attacks by Phillips. Biden has responded by largely ignoring him.
Elsewhere in the interview, Phillips portrayed himself as the positive, more likable alternative to Biden. He said that the country doesn’t truly want a rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump.
“I’m sick of this political culture that only rewards dividers,” the Minnesota Democrat said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
While not giving a clear path forward or laying out what it would take to get him to drop out, Phillips said that he was trying to “wake up” his party.
“As I said for many weeks before this — I respect Joe Biden, but even those numbers last night are not those of a strong incumbent,” he said. “And as you pointed out earlier in your show today, the lowest approval numbers in measurable history, and I’m trying to wake up my party to what is a disaster.”