Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips sought to clarify recent comments about Vice President Kamala Harris after she was criticized for saying she was unfit for the job as president.
The Minnesota Democrat became the target of his colleagues’ ire after apparently snubbing the vice president, telling The Atlantic in an interview that Harris doesn’t have the “right skills” to take on the role of president
But the 2024 presidential candidate tried to put out the fire Tuesday on “CNN NewsNight,” clarifying that he hadn’t actually said what he was accused of saying.
“I’ve heard from other people who know her a lot better than I do that a lot of people think she’s not well positioned,” Phillips said of Harris to The Atlantic. interview which was published on Tuesday. “She is not well prepared, she does not have the right disposition and the right skills to carry out this position.”
“It’s pretty clear he’s not someone people have faith in,” he added, drawing criticism from many in his party.
“It’s better if he keeps the vice president’s name out of his mouth and apologizes. No one will support him, so he will burn his whole reputation on the way out,” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) wrote to X.
Phillips tried to calm the outrage as he answered to the backlash to X and later followed up on CNN with a stunning backlash, saying he didn’t “remember” using the alleged words.
“You said in this interview that other people have told you this about Vice President Kamala Harris that she’s not well-prepared, she’s not well-prepared, she’s not well-equipped, she’s not well-equipped to serve in this position,” CNN anchor Abby Phillip said. “You’ve actually been around him. Do you agree?”
“No. In fact, what I said in that report, I hope you just articulated, is that’s what people have told me,” the Democrat replied.
“So why repeat what other people have told you if you have first hand experience?” Phillip asked.
“I didn’t articulate that clearly. That’s what he asked me to do. Others have told the reporter in question,” the deputy replied. “What I’ve said is that when I’ve been around her, I’ve been impressed. She’s been kind; she’s been thoughtful and decent.”
“But what I’m trying to get across to Americans, whether it’s in relation to the age of the president or Vice President Harris’ standing among Americans, if the Democrats want to beat Donald Trump, Abby, if the Democrats want to beat to Donald Trump, this is not about protecting people, this is about protecting the principle of democracy,” he continued.
“And I say the American people are saying, if you look at their approval numbers, the American people are saying they don’t want this ticket,” he added. “But I think he’s a good person.”
But the CNN anchor wasn’t satisfied with his answer and pressed the Democrat.
“Your comments in this interview are that you say that’s what other people told you, but you said those words to the reporter and people look at it and say you’re hiding behind other people to articulate criticism to the vice president,” he said.
“You’re happy to criticize Donald Trump and Netanyahu and even President Biden. If you have criticism…” he continued before Phillips interrupted.
“I’m the one saying the quiet part out loud. I think it’s pretty well documented,” he said.
“I guess the question is why repeat these comments?” he tried again.
“Abby, I don’t remember saying those words. I remember that those words were shared with me and that this is what people have been saying,” he insisted.
“I don’t remember saying those words. Let me say this though. I’m standing up for the vice president because I think she’s a good person. I think she’s well prepared. But I’m telling you the country has a different opinion, and that’s exactly what I say there,” Phillips stated, noting how he also respects President Joe Biden, but that “the country says they don’t want him to be the next president.”
CNN’s Phillip asked, “Are you tacitly saying you don’t think she should be President Biden’s successor?”
The candidate then emphasized that he “would actually say that [Harris] if she was by my side, run.”
“So Vice President Harris, yeah, you know what? It’s probably hard because you’re the vice president right now, but you know what? Jump in. Jump in,” he said.
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