# 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:** 101
**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, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2006 "2026-06-09T22:18:37Z")
I mean, that’s what folks were hoping for from Biden, too. It didn’t work. Four years later, Trump is back in office and even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2007 "2026-06-09T22:19:18Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Yet he still comes across as an establishment tool. That’s because he’s kind of a tool. Mind you, I’ve repeatedly voted for said tool. But he’s always had an whiff of entitled rich douchebag about him. What separates from him most of his ilk is that aside from just being fairly adroit at politics, he has balls and will go maverick. He’s not really your normal bland, slicked-hair drone. He’s sort of a weird fighter/establishment hybrid. If he were from a different state and had a couple fewer skeletons in the closet I think he’d be a stronger candidate. ---
**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, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2008 "2026-06-09T22:53:52Z")
Newsome didn’t countermand the illegal order to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. That was a simple, concrete actual action he could have taken to oppose Trump, and he didn’t. That’s enough to be disqualifying, for me. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2009 "2026-06-09T23:13:39Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > But he’s always had an whiff of entitled rich douchebag about him. Some of America’s best presidents have been entitled rich douchebags. ---
**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, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2010 "2026-06-09T23:33:59Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > an establishment tool Yeah. I guess “change” could just mean change from Trumpism, but to me the change vibe is also wanting change from the old guard Democratic establishment as well. Not necessarily revolutionary change but something that voters read as … different. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2011 "2026-06-10T01:22:31Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Yet he still comes across as an establishment tool. To you, maybe. > [@Chronos](#): > > Newsome didn’t countermand the illegal order to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. Once trump had federalized the National Guard, Newsom could no longer do so. Instead. Newsom took to the courts- > **[Appeals court delays order blocking Trump National Guard deployment in...](https://abcnews.com/US/california-emergency-motion-trump-deployment-troops-hearing/story?id=122773137)** > > Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an emergency request to block expansion of what they called the Trump administration's "unlawful militarization." > A federal appeals court Thursday delayed an order requiring the Trump administration to return control of the California National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom, dealing the administration a temporary reprieve to what would have been a major reversal of its policy on the protests in Los Angeles. > > Earlier Thursday, a federal judge in California issued a temporary restraining order that would have blocked Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops during protests over immigration raids in LA and returned control of the California National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who did not consent to the Guard’s activation. and Newsom won- [Federal Court to Trump: keeping a standing army is illegal, the federalization of California’s National Guard must end | Governor of California](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/12/10/federal-court-to-trump-keeping-a-standing-army-is-illegal-the-federalization-of-californias-national-guard-must-end/#:~:text=SACRAMENTO%20%E2%80%93%20In%20a%20major%20win,is%20illegal%20and%20must%20end). > **SACRAMENTO** – In a major win for California, a federal court has directed the Trump Administration to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom. ---
**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 10, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2012 "2026-06-10T01:29:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > To you, maybe. There’s no maybe about it. “California Democrat?” No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2013 "2026-06-10T01:33:13Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > There’s no maybe about it. “California Democrat?” No thanks. Michigan Democrat- no thanks. New York Democrat- no thanks. Chicago Democrat- no thanks. See have damn silly this gets? ---
**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 10, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2014 "2026-06-10T01:43:13Z")
It is not silly to acknowledge that “California Democrat” has a branding of elitism and money, deserved or not. It’s not impossible to overcome that branding issue but Newsome most definitely does not. He reads out of touch with most of the country, holding California as a role model. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2015 "2026-06-10T01:46:34Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > It is not silly to acknowledge that “California Democrat” has a branding of elitism and money, deserved or not. If we are gonna exchange Republican propaganda points- “Chicago Democrat” has a branding of machine politics and corruption. Your points are your opinion, and of course the GOPs opinion. Newsom is by no means out of touch. And it is **Newsom**. **No e.** ---
**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 10, 2026, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2016 "2026-06-10T01:51:18Z")
E is short for energy there? 😁 ---
**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 10, 2026, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2017 "2026-06-10T02:15:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Once trump had federalized the National Guard, Newsom could no longer do so. Once Trump illegally federalized the National Guard, Newsome absolutely could do so. An illegal order holds no force. Which he should have reminded the troops of. Soldiers are heavily conditioned to obey orders. Give them an illegal order, and they’ll probably carry it out. But give them two conflicting orders, and they’ll have to actually think about which one is legal. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2018 "2026-06-10T03:15:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Once Trump illegally federalized the National Guard, Newsome absolutely could do so. No, trump had the legal authority to Federalize the NG. But what he didnt have is the authority to use them as a police force without the Okay of the Governor. Newsom correctly challenged trump in the courts- and won. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2019 "2026-06-11T10:57:03Z")
The voters tend to think of their own idea of a president in the primary. Someone that seems to match them in some manner. There are an awful lot of people who do not find a match with the two parties. I tend to think there are not a lot of people at the very center, but that is who we end up after the primaries. Not a splashy candidate from the Democrats. Someone like Biden may get it this time, but it will be younger, I would say a white guy about 50 in age. ---
**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 12, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2020 "2026-06-12T15:27:50Z")
Top story on The Hill right now is about Ossoff’s potential 2028 run. [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5920687-ossoff-senate-reelection-buzz/](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5920687-ossoff-senate-reelection-buzz/) Doesn’t really say much new, but there’s definitely a buzz around him. ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2021 "2026-06-12T23:05:27Z")
I read the NYT piece that The Hill is quoting extensively from … yeah it is pretty gushing. But by this point if the NYT is pushing someone, as good they make them sound, I am … skeptical. Might just be me. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2022 "2026-06-13T05:58:49Z")
How about a “forceably deport every Republican voter to a foreign country” Democrat? A “make every eligible voter who sat out the 2024 election sign a written apology” Democrat? Anything short of those is settling for fourth-best. The only thing I want to reach across the aisle is the business end of a bazooka. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2023 "2026-06-13T07:30:37Z")
Watching the hearings lately, I think Ted Lieu might be the perfect guy to clean up after Trump and erect safeguards for the future. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2024 "2026-06-13T12:45:20Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > How about a “forceably deport every Republican voter to a foreign country” Democrat? I’m in favor of them campaigning on that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/2025 "2026-06-13T18:21:32Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > Anything short of those is settling for fourth-best. Neither is gonna happen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=100) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=102)