In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Dean Phillips is doubling down on his long-shot presidential primary challenge against President Joe Biden. With an unwavering determination to win, Phillips is prepared to use his personal fortune to fund his campaign, despite facing overwhelming rejection from fellow Democrats.

Phillips, who believes his campaign may have jeopardized his own congressional career, refuses to back down. In a bid to secure victory, he is now opening the door to super PAC money, which could result in millions of dollars' worth of negative ads targeting key primary states such as Michigan and New Hampshire, which are crucial in the general election.

During a recent interview with CNN, Phillips expressed his concerns regarding President Biden's approval ratings, comparing them to former President Jimmy Carter's historically low numbers. He argued that Biden's presidency is facing similar challenges and believes that in 2024, Biden might be among the few Democrats to lose against former President Donald Trump.

Furthermore, Phillips launched a direct attack on one of Biden's core campaign messages, criticizing "Bidenomics" and claiming that it is not working, citing inflation and high prices as evidence.

Since Phillips began his campaign against Biden just over two weeks ago, he has faced significant backlash from members of his own party. He recently stepped down from his leadership position in the House of Representatives following criticism during a private caucus meeting. If he were to run for re-election in Minnesota, Phillips would now face multiple primary challengers. Additionally, he has received criticism from influential Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, who accused Phillips of disrespecting the Black voters who propelled Biden to victory and have long been a cornerstone of the Democratic Party.

Drawing parallels to the past, Phillips compared himself to Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who made a noteworthy challenge against incumbent Democratic President Lyndon Johnson in the 1968 New Hampshire primary. He views McCarthy's run as having played a critical role in Johnson's decision not to run for re-election.

When asked about the limit to his personal fortune that he is willing to spend on his campaign, Phillips boldly replied, "No." He also expressed openness to accepting support from super PACs, stating that he must play by the rules until he can change them.

While Phillips has limited experience in politics, having been elected to Congress in 2018 after being inspired by Donald Trump's election, he quickly gained popularity among colleagues and became the co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus.

While his presidential campaign has been marked by a lack of familiarity with the key power centers of the Democratic Party, Phillips aims to differentiate himself from President Biden on border policy and affordability. He supports requiring individuals who need to claim asylum to do so from their home countries and proposes allowing Americans to deduct essential expenses like clothing and groceries on their taxes.

Phillips plans to continue campaigning in South Carolina, a state crucial to Biden's nomination in 2020, thanks to the support of Rep. Clyburn and its significant Black voter population. Following that, he intends to focus on Michigan, where the primary is scheduled for February 27.

Nevertheless, Phillips recognizes that his campaign's success is far from guaranteed. If he does not come out ahead after "Super Tuesday" on March 6, where many delegates are up for grabs, he has pledged to exit the race and campaign for the Democratic nominee. He has also made it clear that he has no intention of running as a third-party candidate.

With high stakes and fierce determination, Phillips is determined to either win the presidential primary or open the door for a candidate better positioned to defeat Donald Trump in the general election. The outcome of this long-shot challenge remains to be seen, but Phillips's boldness and relentless pursuit of victory have certainly shaken the political landscape.