# Frontrunners for Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 16, 2025, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036 "2025-01-16T06:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 100
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1986 "2026-05-29T00:09:57Z")
I suppose it’s kinda hard to raise money for things if you completely shut the door on your political career. ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1987 "2026-05-29T11:43:50Z")
We don’t do much politics on the campaign anymore. Other than mud slinging ads. So for the huge masses of independents is is just the attitude and confidence of the candidate that matters. They have to see a leader in about 30 seconds. If it takes longer…click. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1988 "2026-06-03T19:13:19Z")
CNN: Pete Buttigieg is becoming a prolific endorser of Democrats, with some clues to his future > **[Pete Buttigieg is becoming a prolific endorser of Democrats, with some clues...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/31/politics/buttigieg-endorser-democrats-midterms)** > > Shawn Harris is aware of the political bind he faces in northwest Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1989 "2026-06-08T16:38:08Z")
After reading Michelle Goldberg’s opinion piece on Jon Ossoff in the NY Times, I’m all aboard the Ossoff train. And if he’s sincere about not being a 2028 candidate, then I hope that whoever is, clones his message. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1990 "2026-06-08T18:44:04Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > After reading Michelle Goldberg’s opinion piece on Jon Ossoff in the NY Times, I’m all aboard the Ossoff train. He could carry Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1991 "2026-06-08T22:23:45Z")
How about pulling back from the specific candidates to what broad sort of candidate is going to perform best? What is the country’s mood looking for? Pick the most important aspect but feel free to comment otherwise. Clearly these are not mutually exclusive characteristics. _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1991))_ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1992 "2026-06-08T22:26:03Z")
I voted “a fighter”, but “a change agent” could also fit. Someone who recognizes that trying to treat current politics as normal, and reacting in a normal way, isn’t working. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1993 "2026-06-08T23:24:37Z")
If the option had ended at “healer,” I would have taken it. While it would be nice to be able to find bipartisan solutions to the quagmire we find ourselves in, I fear an emphasis on “reaching across the aisle” would lead to a repeat of the Obama experience (with even more rancor on the other side). I have a feeling it will take a couple of cycles in the wilderness to clean the worst of MAGA from the GQP, assuming that’s even possible. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1994 "2026-06-08T23:58:43Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > . I have a feeling it will take a couple of cycles in the wilderness to clean the worst of MAGA from the GQP, assuming that’s even possible. It didnt take long to get rid of the Tea Party (about 8-9 years) nor the Goldwater-ites. Once trump is dead, etc, MAGA will go away, then be replaced by something else reactionary in a half decade or so. The bigots and deplorables have to have someplace to go, with any luck a 3rd party (it has happened before, with Wallaces AIP). Lets hope. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1995 "2026-06-09T00:50:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > It didnt take long to get rid of the Tea Party (about 8-9 years) If by “get rid of”, you mean “they changed their name”. I’m not sure what good that accomplishes. They still got Trump elected. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1996 "2026-06-09T10:10:04Z")
I’m all for reaching across the aisle. So long as they do the reaching first. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1997 "2026-06-09T12:08:16Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > If the option had ended at “healer,” I would have taken it. How can someone be a healer without reaching across? If not the aisle, maybe reaching across to other groups that feel ignored by the D side before? What sort of healing messaging do you think could be effective? ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1998 "2026-06-09T13:14:25Z")
I interpret “reaching across the aisle” to mean attempting to work with the opposition on legislation. And we saw how well that worked with Obama (see Mitch McConnell’s statement to his caucus at the start about making Obama a one-term President). Which is not to say that the next Democratic President should emulate Trump’s tactics, but enacting effective legislation should be a priority over appeasing a rabid opposition. “Healer,” on the other hand, implies — to me — trying to get people of all political stripes to realize that whatever their beliefs, they have a stake in the well-being of their fellow USians (whatever their status) and the country in general. Which is probably a fool’s errand in the current climate, but is certainly worth trying. It just doesn’t inherently involve politics. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1999 "2026-06-09T13:44:54Z")
Any doctor will tell you, though, that the first step in healing a wound is draining all of the pus. Trying to close up a pus-filled wound just leads to sepsis. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2000 "2026-06-09T13:50:32Z")
The change agent or the healer would need to have some fighter in her/him anyway. ‘Cause you just _know_ there would be some on their nominal “same side” who’d dig their heels at “no, not [so much/so little/that kind of] change!”; and **many** across the aisle who’d dig in on “nuh-uh, YOU are the divider if you don’t let us keep having our way”. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2001 "2026-06-09T19:47:49Z")
So “fighter” leads, with “change agent” not far behind. “Healer” pulling up the rear. No big love for identity politics. How do the talked about potentials rank in those lenses? My WAGs: Ossoff … has middle of the road appeal, I like him, but doesn’t shout either fighter or change to me. Buttigieg too. More healer vibes. Beshear? A change in that he wins in a Red state, but also more a healing message. Not a big fighter image. Pritzker. Definitely pugilistic. And has enough progressive cred to carry a change message. Some. Gallego? I don’t know enough about him to say if he can sell change but he seems able to fight. Both Khanna and AOC are strong on both. Khanna just little known and AOC maybe so much change that she loses the middle. But maybe not. She does seem to fit both disruptive change and fighter motifs well. Not who I’d prefer at first glance, but I looking through this lens she may be worth seriously consideration. Newsom? Harris? Booker? Zero change. Scream status quo. Emmaul? Zero chance. Whitmar? Sales pitch is competence at governance not change or fighter. Don’t know enough about Warnock. I miss any major possibilities? Any comments on the hot take through this specific set of lenses? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2002 "2026-06-09T21:46:06Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Newsom? Harris? Booker? Zero change. Scream status quo. Newsom is attacking trump pretty hard, and his policies for CA show a lot off change. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2003 "2026-06-09T22:00:58Z")
Yet he still comes across as an establishment tool. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2004 "2026-06-09T22:04:01Z")
He seems to me to be attacking Trump via the posting of dumb memes that copy things Trump has posted. Not exactly what is required in these times. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2005 "2026-06-09T22:12:27Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Newsom? Harris? Booker? Zero change. Scream status quo. not a zero change from MAGA. Return to normalcy, perhaps. Status quo recently has been total fuck up and corruption. So, any of these three would be a _vast_ improvement (Low bar, I know). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=99) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=101)