In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, a Democrat serving his third term, voiced skepticism about Vice President Kamala Harris' ability to garner public trust if she were to succeed President Biden. Phillips, who launched a long-shot primary challenge against Biden last month, walked a careful line, expressing concerns without directly criticizing Harris. However, his remarks have infuriated passionate supporters of the Vice President.

Phillips suggested that Harris is not well positioned and lacks the necessary disposition and competencies to effectively execute the duties of her office. He went on to claim that Harris' approval numbers are even worse than Biden's, implying a lack of faith in her among voters.

Although Phillips attempted to distance himself from directly criticizing Harris, stating that he has not personally observed these alleged deficiencies, his remarks have sparked backlash. Critics argue that Phillips engaged in political point-scoring by relying on hearsay and gossip rather than offering substantive criticisms.

Reacting to Phillips' comments, CNN commentator and Democratic strategist Karen Finney demanded an apology, condemning his use of others' words to attack Vice President Harris. Similarly, Robert Garcia, the former mayor of Long Beach, California, took to social media, urging Phillips to refrain from mentioning the Vice President's name and calling for an apology, warning that such remarks could damage his reputation.

When questioned by CNN anchor Abby Phillip, Phillips reiterated that his remarks were based on what others had said to him, rather than his personal opinion. Despite the criticism, he maintained that Harris had been kind and thoughtful in their interactions.

Interestingly, Phillips also made a prediction regarding former President Donald Trump's future running mate. He claimed that Trump would choose Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is currently running as an independent, as his eventual running mate. Phillips suggested that this potential ticket would pose a significant challenge to their rivals in the upcoming election.

Highlighting the shifting dynamics in the political landscape, a recent poll conducted in November revealed that Kennedy enjoys more support among Americans under 45 in critical battleground states than both Trump and Biden. Notably, 34% of registered voters between 18 and 29 expressed their backing for Kennedy's presidential bid.

As of now, neither Harris nor Phillips' campaigns have provided any official comment on the matter.

It remains to be seen how Phillips' comments will impact his own campaign, as well as the public perception of Vice President Harris. The controversy surrounding his remarks serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by politicians who choose to voice concerns about prominent figures within their own party.