Dean Phillips greets voters as 'Write-In Biden' supporters shine
About 100 feet of sawhorse barrier lined the entrance to Hillside Middle School here in Manchester, NH, inadvertently highlighting the divide in New Hampshire's Democratic primary.
On one side, closest to the parking lot, stood Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, the only Democratic candidate to challenge President Biden. He was surrounded by about a half-dozen staff members and volunteers energetically waving signs.
On the other side were two members of Manchester's local Democrats, proudly holding signs encouraging voters to cheer on Joe Biden, who is not on the ballot after a clash over his bid to give New Hampshire its first primary in the country to deprive. status.
Julie Swant, 84, balancing a “Write-In Biden” sign on the back of the sawhorse fence, changed her sunny disposition as she greeted voters and dazzled at the mere mention of Mr. Phillips' name.
“We love Joe Biden. We were just talking about how much he's done, and it's so much,” she said. Her fellow “Write-In Biden” sign holder and neighbor, Jim Webber, 68, nodded in agreement.
Back on the other side of the fence, Mr. Phillips continued to greet voters for about an hour, having arrived just as the polls opened at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time, taking only a brief break for a radio interview from the quiet ( and heat) of the city. his SUV He approached voters as if he were a stranger to them, even though he was flanked by several signs with his name on them.
“Good morning!” Mr Phillips shouted at voters as they walked into the polls around 7.30am, his hand extended for a handshake. “Do you know who I am?”
However, supporters were enlisted for extended handshakes, with Mr Phillips holding their grip for 15 seconds or more. Poll workers came outside and wanted to take a photo with a candidate, bringing their own disposable camera for a photo.
Some voters, like Richard Valley, 53, who works in retail and lives in Manchester, deserved a hug.
'Joe Biden should just go. It’s time to retire,” Mr. Valley said (although he added that he would vote for Mr. Biden over Mr. Trump).
In an interview, Mr. Phillips called the day “the most joyful, wonderful day that I think I will have the privilege of experiencing in my life.”
He dismissed concerns that his presence in the race and his criticism of Biden's age were dividing the Democratic Party ahead of a crucial election. “What concerns me is the fact that we are crowning a candidate who simply cannot win.”
And he tried to clarify his flirtation with a No Labels run. “I've made it very clear: I'm a Democrat. I am a lifelong Democrat who flipped a Republican seat that had been red for 60 years.”
But, he added, “if it's Biden versus Trump, we need an alternative way to take votes from Trump and win this election.”
“I'm trying to keep people's minds open for a No Labels candidate who would draw votes from Trump. I wouldn't be. That's the whole point,” Mr Phillips said.