The two major Democratic challengers to President Joe Biden spoke at a forum Friday in Salem, days before the New Hampshire primary.Despite their differences, both candidates shared a similar message: that Democrats should move on from Joe Biden."I reject the idea, this automatic idea that it's the president. I’m sorry he is not a popular president right now he is sinking in the polls” Marianne Williamson said. Meanwhile, Biden’s absence in New Hampshire has been criticized by Congressman Dean Phillips. "The fact that the president chose not to be on the ballot here yeah I think it was a bad decision,” Phillips said. I think the country will see a very weak unelectable candidate here on January 23,” He added.However, some New Hampshire Democrats look to write in Joe Biden on the day of the Primary. “Democracy is on the ballot. So really this is about dictatorship versus democracy,” one voter Louise Spencer said. “I know that we've said plenty of times this is the most important election in our lifetime.”The forum at the Artisan Hotel in Tuscan Village was hosted by the Rotary Club and the Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. Both candidates took questions from the crowd.Marianne Williamson touched on the economy, saying the United States no longer has a thriving middle class, and that needs to change.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<"An economy and an economic system should serve the people," she said. “If the democrats go out there and say the economy is doing well, ‘were creating jobs’ do you know how many people are saying I can’t survive on one of those jobs,” She said. U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips said his time on the campaign trail has been the most inspirational of his life, showing him that in communities like New Hampshire's, people from both sides of the aisle can come together."It's easy to become well-known in politics. You just have to be a jerk," he said. "We are providing the wrong incentives in our body politic right now. We are rewarding the people who are the bombastic, bomb-throwing dividers instead of celebrating the people who actually have the competency and decency to serve this country."Phillips also said that his decision to run also had consequences with his own party. “By coming to concord and filing a $1000 fee to file for president you know what that got me? Excommunicated from the Democratic Party,” he said. “I was a darling three months ago. That's what happens,” he said. Phillips held a meet and greet Friday evening in Concord, while Williamson met with voters Friday afternoon during a diner tour in Manchester.Primary resources: Everything you need to know about the 2024 New Hampshire primary Compare, contrast 2024 presidential candidates on key issues Learn more about Get the Facts and view all WMUR fact checks here Re-watch “Conversation with the Candidate” See highlights from Candidate Café Sign up for the WMUR Politics newsletter See election coverage on Very Local