Biden, Phillips appeal to S.C. voters, but crowd has clear favorite

In what was supposed to be a strictly celebratory event launching President Biden’s glide path to the Democratic presidential nomination here, long-shot primary challenger Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) sought to appeal to the crowd with a somber warning.

Speaking minutes before Biden was set to take the stage here at the First-in-the-Nation Dinner on Saturday, Phillips warned the gathered Democrats that Biden’s low poll numbers and weak political standing threatened to let former president Donald Trump back into the White House.

“I’m here to tell you the numbers do not say things are looking good,” Phillips said from the stage, as Democratic officials milled about the hall. Phillips received some light applause after his remarks, which he had to stop at one point to try to get the attention of people who were not listening.