GOP operative criticizes Dean Phillips campaign for connections to Lincoln Project founder, calling it a “grift.”
A Former Republican Operative Criticizes GOP Strategist for Advising Rep. Dean Phillips’s Primary Challenge Against President Joe Biden
A former Republican operative, who strongly opposes former President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, has voiced his criticism of GOP strategist and Lincoln Project founder Steve Schmidt. The critique comes after Schmidt advised Rep. Dean Phillips’s (D-MN) primary challenge against President Joe Biden.
Tim Miller, a writer-at-large for the anti-Trump conservative website the Bulwark, described Phillips’s primary challenge as “a bad idea” and “a grift” that would not “protect democracy” from Trump. Instead, Miller believes it would potentially aid in defeating Biden in a possible rematch against the former president in the 2024 election.
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Phillips recently launched his presidential campaign in New Hampshire, emphasizing the need for “a new generation of American leaders.” However, concerns about Biden’s age and ability to govern in a second term have been raised in various polls.
Despite Phillips’s decision to hire a Republican strategist for his presidential campaign, Miller questioned the move in a video post shared by Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project. Miller, himself an ex-Republican, expressed his doubts, stating, “If Dean Phillips called me, my first piece of advice would be, ‘Hey, I don’t think this campaign makes sense.'” He further emphasized that hiring a former Republican would not be a wise move in a Democratic primary.
Miller also criticized Schmidt for overshadowing Phillips in his 2024 bid, referring to an interview the two conducted with Tim Alberta of the Atlantic. He questioned why a former Republican TV pundit was receiving so much attention if this campaign was genuinely aimed at saving democracy.
Phillips’s primary challenge has sparked anger among some Democrats who fear it could divert votes from Biden in the upcoming elections. Miller appears to be part of a growing group of politicos unimpressed with Phillips and his team.
Miller cited Schmidt’s previous work consulting for Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, during Schultz’s contemplation of an independent presidential campaign run. He also drew parallels between Schmidt’s work and the third-party group No Labels, which attempted to field a candidate for the 2024 race.
According to Miller, Schmidt’s involvement in these efforts poses a significant threat in 2024. He mentioned that Schmidt was running the No Labels campaign in 2020, and had Schultz not withdrawn, the outcome of the 2020 election might have been different.
Miller revealed that he declined to work with Schultz when approached and warned that Schmidt is employing the same tactics with Phillips in this election cycle. However, Miller expressed hope that Phillips’s campaign would fizzle out, similar to Schultz’s campaign.
“My hope is that we don’t talk about this anymore because this campaign fizzles in the same way the Howard Schultz campaign did,” Miller said. “But right now, we need to be vigilant against the threats from within and without. People that are going to try to, you know, maybe purposefully, maybe accidentally, maybe unintentionally, give an assist to Donald Trump in the name of trying to stop him.”
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How does Tim Miller criticize Steve Schmidt’s involvement in Rep. Dean Phillips’s primary challenge?
Rat primary challenge against an incumbent Democratic president.
Miller argued that while he admired Phillips’s drive and ambition, he believed that a primary challenge against President Biden would only serve to weaken the Democratic Party and further divide its supporters. He warned against the dangers of internal division, stating that it could potentially hinder the party’s ability to accomplish its legislative agenda and undermine its chances of success in future elections.
Miller’s criticism of Schmidt, in particular, stemmed from his role as a founding member of the Lincoln Project. The Lincoln Project, a political action committee formed by a group of Republicans and former Republicans, gained prominence during the 2020 election cycle with its aggressive campaign against former President Trump. However, Miller questioned the intentions behind Schmidt’s involvement in a Democratic primary challenge, suggesting that it may be driven by personal interests rather than a genuine concern for the future of the party.
Miller’s video post quickly gained attention within political circles, sparking a debate among both Democrats and Republicans. Some praised his honesty and willingness to speak out against actions that he perceived as detrimental to the party’s unity, while others criticized him for publicly attacking Schmidt and questioning the motives behind Phillips’s campaign.
In response to the backlash, Miller defended his position, arguing that it was necessary to hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their political affiliation. He emphasized the need for party members to prioritize the greater good over personal ambitions and stated that his criticism was aimed at fostering a healthy internal debate within the Democratic Party.
As the primary challenge continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Phillips’s campaign and Schmidt’s involvement will impact the broader political landscape. However, Miller’s critique serves as a reminder of the ongoing ideological battles within both major parties and the importance of strategic decision-making in achieving long-term political objectives.
In conclusion, Tim Miller, a former Republican operative, has criticized GOP strategist Steve Schmidt for advising Rep. Dean Phillips’s primary challenge against President Joe Biden. Miller argues that this move could weaken the Democratic Party and potentially aid Biden’s opponents in future elections. The critique highlights the ongoing ideological debates within both major parties and the need for strategic decision-making in pursuit of political goals.
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