# 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:** 40
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/781 "2025-08-10T19:03:37Z")
This is as good a place as any for me to express my dissatisfaction w/ Pritzker for signing IMO a horribly irresponsible piece of legislation. > **[Chicago pension sweetener would add $11.1 billion in liabilities](https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-pension-sweetener-would-add-11-1-billion-in-liabilities/)** > > State lawmakers boosted benefits for Chicago police and firefighters in the final days of the legislative session. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should reject this bill, or else it will add billions in debt to an already struggling city. As you may be aware, Illinois and Chicago have some of the worst unfunded pension liabilities in the nation. Several years back, attempts were made to address this by providing newly hired police and firefighters lower benefits. Sure, disadvantages those folk compared to their more senior, but IMO something had to be done. Well, the state just passed legislation at the last minute with minimal discussion, raising benefits for newer “tier 2” employees. Pritzker signed it with zero explanation. So now I suppose Chicago will go to the state demanding assistance with this unfunded mandate? Not the first time Pritzker has failed to take a challenging fiscally responsible stance. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/782 "2025-08-10T19:49:14Z")
Because going up against Police and Firefighters is a winning strategy for democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/783 "2025-08-10T20:30:31Z")
Sure. That is one way of looking at it. Better to spend money we don’t have and have no plans how to get. Not sure if you are from Illinois/Chicago. Not sure if you realize how bad Illinois’ pension debt is. > **[Illinois’ economic future pressured by worst pension crisis in nation](https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-economic-future-pressured-by-worst-pension-crisis-in-nation/)** > > Nationwide analysis from the Equable Institute reveals Illinois state pensions remain fiscally unstable, underscoring the need for systemic reform. Nor is Chicago especially flush. Meanwhile, the Dems hold supermajorities in the statehouse, the governorship, both senatorial seats, Chicago mayor and council, and 14 of 17 US Reps. Not sure how critical it was to pander to cops and firefighters. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/784 "2025-08-10T21:09:47Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > This is as good a place as any for me to express my dissatisfaction w/ Pritzker for signing IMO a horribly irresponsible piece of legislation. That legislation was passed with significant majorities. He had little choice but to sign it. Dont blame the Governor for a bill passed by the legislature. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/785 "2025-08-10T21:10:32Z")
It’s quite the innocence to think that fiscal realities matter to the electorate. Imagine running for president on the “I vetoed pensions for police and firefighters” platform. Because that’s what they’d be doing. I live in a 95% white “police town” that leans blue (57% Harris) but ANY sign you don’t support the police 1000% will cause fire to rain on your head from the vast majority of residents. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/786 "2025-08-10T21:33:21Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > It’s quite the innocence to think that fiscal realities matter to the electorate. Imagine running for president on the “I vetoed pensions for police and firefighters” platform. Because that’s what they’d be doing. Good points. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/787 "2025-08-10T23:34:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > That legislation was passed with significant majorities. He had little choice but to sign it. Dont blame the Governor for a bill passed by the legislature. Isn’t it possible for him to refuse to sign it and force them to override his veto. And, taking a step back from that, would it not be possible for him to exert his influence over members of his own party WRT the legislation they bring? I saw no sign of him even attempting to do so. > [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > It’s quite the innocence to think that fiscal realities matter to the electorate. So, we are just buying into the Trump reality that words and symbols are all that matter, whether or not they reflect reality? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/788 "2025-08-11T00:03:55Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > So, we are just buying into the Trump reality that words and symbols are all that matter, whether or not they reflect reality? If literally fewer than 5% of the electorate even understand the issue, taking a fantastically unpopular SYMBOLIC position seems really dumb. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/789 "2025-08-11T01:14:04Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Isn’t it possible for him to refuse to sign it and force them to override his veto. And never get elected again? For something the People want? Just because some Op-Ed article says it is a bad idea? The people wanted it, the police wanted it, the firefighters wanted it, and the legislators wanted it. Vetoing it would be political suicide. > [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > If literally fewer than 5% of the electorate even understand the issue, taking a fantastically unpopular SYMBOLIC position seems really dumb. Yep. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/790 "2025-08-11T02:28:39Z")
Selling people on fiscal responsibility is hard. Walter Mondale tried it when he said, “Let’s tell the truth. Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I. He won’t tell you. I just did.” He got clobbered for it. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/791 "2025-08-11T10:47:13Z")
OK. As a lifelong Illinoisian who has seen my state’s financial position just getting worse and worse, I will reiterate that I was expressing “my disappointment” at something that “IMO” was a very bad and avoidable step. So, if we aren’t going to reduce pension obligations, I suppose folk will gleefully support the candidate who proposes massive tax increases and spending cuts to fund those pension obligations. Or better yet, magical thinking! ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/792 "2025-08-11T15:50:47Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Yet apparently the great unwashed and uneducated think there is a button on the Resolute Desk labeled “Keep inflation down” and Biden simply forgot to press it. Yep, people are dumb, and that’s how it works. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/793 "2025-08-11T17:40:13Z")
The NY Times did an article about Jeff Jackson. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/us/north-carolina-attorney-general-jeff-jackson.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/us/north-carolina-attorney-general-jeff-jackson.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/794 "2025-08-11T18:23:29Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Or better yet, magical thinking! About as effective as running on the “There is no God, let’s get that word out of the pledge of allegiance!” platform. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/795 "2025-08-11T18:37:19Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > While this is true, and I heard this talking point mentioned regularly, it’s meaningless to an American who sees their own personal budget being squeezed by inflation. “It could be worse, you could live in England” is a meaningless – if not outright condescending – message. Really? I think it’s more condescending to pander to ignorance. (From some of your posts, I think you’d agree, which is why this seems anomalous to 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:** [August 11, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/796 "2025-08-11T21:09:05Z")
Don’t get me started. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/797 "2025-08-11T21:43:29Z")
Abner Snopes? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/798 "2025-08-13T11:35:19Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > Because going up against Police and Firefighters is a winning strategy for democrats. Just saw an article in today’s paper addressing Dems’ challenges with unions, stating they were trending Trumpward. Yeah - he’s gonna support labor! 🙄 You were right. I was wrong, and I give up! I feel so bad about the future my grandkids are inheriting. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/799 "2025-08-13T11:50:03Z")
I mean, Trump is very protectionist and that’s pretty popular with unions. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/800 "2025-08-13T12:47:04Z")
Yeah - I’m sure the VA employees will be thrilled. 😉 > **[VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees - VA News](https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-terminates-union-contracts-for-most-bargaining-unit-employees/)** > > Union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees are terminated by VA. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=41)