# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/81 "2025-01-18T08:10:24Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Living life a bit, overcoming challenges, playing the adult, and serving as a leader. To amplify - track record of facing up to difficult decisions, and explaining decisions persuasively and as honestly as possible. ---
**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:** [January 18, 2025, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/82 "2025-01-18T08:51:32Z")
People may not care about gravitas, but they do care whether a candidate projects an image of strength. Trump does it (though to me it looks more like bluster and overcompensation). Biden did it in 2020. Biden didn’t do it in 2024. I think Harris did, but not enough to overcome the challenges she faced in her candidacy. I don’t think Fetterman does. ---
**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:** [January 18, 2025, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/83 "2025-01-18T10:03:20Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > People may not care about gravitas, but they do care whether a candidate projects an image of strength. Yes, I think it’s complicated. There are some overlapping circles on the Venn diagram here, and certainly a large percentage of the electorate doesn’t even know what the word “gravitas” means. And the dark side of desiring a projection of strength is being fooled by Trumpian bluster or wanting a Sky Father to solve all of the country’s ills, as opposed to a leader who is wise and effective but not as able to provide a false sense of security (i.e., an infant’s view of leadership, which is the view of much of America). > [@](#): > > Trump does it (though to me it looks more like bluster and overcompensation). He’s the dumbass version of “strong leader.” > [@](#): > > Biden did it in 2020. Biden didn’t do it in 2024. Yes, by the debate, actual age and infirmity had taken it from him. > [@](#): > > I think Harris did, but not enough to overcome the challenges she faced in her candidacy. Yes, she did, but the public was in the mood for more dumbassery. > [@](#): > > I don’t think Fetterman does. Not at all. ---
**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:** [January 18, 2025, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/84 "2025-01-18T12:08:38Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What the heck is “gravitas”? Did W have it? How do you get it? I don’t know, but I know it when I see it. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/85 "2025-01-18T17:30:01Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > He’s the dumbass version of “strong leader.” In the same way that he also projects the image of what poor people think a rich person would look like. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/86 "2025-01-18T17:42:48Z")
Quoted here before. Not sure who said it first. “A poor man’s idea of a rich man, a stupid man’s idea of a smart man, and a weak man’s idea of a strong man.” ---
**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:** [January 18, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/87 "2025-01-18T18:17:07Z")
Ah yes, gold toilet and all… ---
**Author:** ![Hermione1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d07c76/32.png) [@Hermione1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermione1)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/88 "2025-01-21T18:00:26Z")
I’ve been thinking that Andy Beshear might be a good dark-horse candidate. If he can win the governorship of a normally-red state twice–first by a small margin and then by a larger margin–he might have some of that Bill Clinton mojo (without the baggage that the Clintons ended up with). He’s young, energetic, personable. He was listed as one of the more popular Democratic governors. He seems to be gearing up for a possible run, laying out a vision for the direction the party should go and an economic vision for the country. More to the point, as some of you guys have said, he’d avoid the “coastal elite” stereotype. I like Gavin Newsom, and those who say “he looks like the kind of president you see in the movies/on TV” aren’t wrong. But his perception as a “California elite” might hamper him, as might some other liabilities–a marital scandal in his past, some questionable positions on the homelessness problem, that kind of thing. I’ll never know why Cory Booker, from my own home state, didn’t do better in 2020. That guy seems to have ticked off many of the boxes…and as for PR? The man _literally saved someone from a burning building_ once! Okay, so NJ is a coastal state and subject to “coastal elite” accusations, but…Beshear/Booker? Beshear/Kim? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/89 "2025-01-21T18:03:32Z")
Whoever runs in 2028 needs to steer clear of the old playbook. Joe Biden performed admirably as president, but he was wedded to the old style of politics, where you take the high road, where you could get some mileage out of playing nice with the opposition, where you could secure some substantive legislation by wheeling and dealing. That approach might have yielded a good deal of success 30 years ago, but these days will just get you steamrolled. What the Democrats need is someone who projects strength, who’s willing to call out Fox News and the other propagandists on their bullshit, and who, when the situation calls for it, can fight dirty and shit talk with the best of them. I’m not sure who in the Democratic Party right now with any real name recognition could fit that bill. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/90 "2025-01-21T18:41:01Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > What the Democrats need is someone who projects strength, who’s willing to call out Fox News and the other propagandists on their bullshit, and who, when the situation calls for it, can fight dirty and shit talk with the best of them. I’m not sure who in the Democratic Party right now with any real name recognition could fit that bill. I think we’re back to Mark Cuban. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/91 "2025-01-21T18:42:55Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I think we’re back to Mark Cuban Exactly what I was going to post. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/92 "2025-01-21T19:07:43Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > They no longer care if the candidate is a Republican. But I question whether they want a Democrat to behave like a Republican. If voters tire of MAGA, they will want gravitas. And if they still want a buffoon, I they will want the real thing, not a Democratic Party imitation. I rarely agree with your posts but I think you completely hit the nail on the head here. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/93 "2025-01-21T19:15:59Z")
I will not vote in the primary for anyone who has never held a major elected office. I don’t want anyone closely associated with the Biden administration. Thinking Whitmer would be my first choice right now. She seems competent, principled, and has won in a purplish State. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/94 "2025-01-21T20:34:11Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Joe Biden performed admirably as president, but he was wedded to the old style of politics, where you take the high road, where you could get some mileage out of playing nice with the opposition, where you could secure some substantive legislation by wheeling and dealing. That approach might have yielded a good deal of success 30 years ago, but these days will just get you steamrolled. Oddly, it worked just 8 years ago. > [@BlankSlate](#): > > I think we’re back to Mark Cuban. No more candidates who have no political experience. He is also a Randist. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I will not vote in the primary for anyone who has never held a major elected office. I concur. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I don’t want anyone closely associated with the Biden administration. I disagree. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/95 "2025-01-21T20:40:46Z")
I would vote for Cuban over a Republican, but I want to get off the “ultrarich dude as candidate” train. I agree about not voting for someone who hasn’t proven themselves in a major election. Aside from Cuban, I don’t think there is anyone else in that category who seems viable at this point. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/96 "2025-01-21T20:42:10Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Thinking Whitmer would be my first choice right now. She seems competent, principled, and has won in a purplish State. Yes, she was also at the top of my list above. I would add to the qualities you listed “positivity.” She seems like a sane, normal, happy, well-adjusted human who has a family and likes people. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/97 "2025-01-21T20:44:57Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > I would vote for Cuban over a Republican, but I want to get off the “ultrarich dude as candidate” train. > > I agree about not voting for someone who hasn’t proven themselves in a major election. Aside from Cuban, I don’t think there is anyone else in that category who seems viable at this point. Three other names have been floated here- Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, and Mayor Pete. I honestly would like to see Michelle as Veep. But she doesnt want it. But none for President. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/98 "2025-01-21T21:41:36Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Three other names have been floated here- Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, and Mayor Pete. > > I honestly would like to see Michelle as Veep. But she doesnt want it. Probably Michelle is viable, but as you said, she doesn’t want to do it (and I believe her). I don’t think the other two are. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/99 "2025-01-21T23:04:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No more candidates who have no political experience. He is also a Randist. Your info is out date. Cuban has specifically refuted the Rand/Libertarian line over the past several years. This isn’t to say I favor him as a candidate, but if he still espoused those views, it would be a complete deal-breaker. For me, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/100 "2025-01-21T23:35:34Z")
Andy Breashears…Any Democrat that can get elected, and then re-elected, governor in Kentucky can talk to Red America. I haven’t watched him enough to know how he’d “scale up” in a white-hot National race against the next iteration of MAGA. Roy Cooper…Any Democrat that can get elected twice to NC Governor has something going for him. I’m not sure how well he’d “scale up” against the next iteration of MAGA in a national race. Josh Shapiro…he comes across well, IMO, and he’s been strong enough to win in Pennsylvania, which is a state we must have. I feel like our next candidate needs to be someone with a lot of charisma, and who seeks attention. Joe Biden was very good in that way before he aged. Go back and watch him debate Paul Ryan in 2012…THAT was the Joe Biden I wish we still had in 2024. Anyway, our next guy needs to be someone that can excite people when he speaks. And I won’t rule out a “she” here. If there is a female candidate that excites people more than Hillary or Kamala, I’m fine with that, too. Regardless, we need the opposite of what Joe Biden gave us in 2024 in terms of energy, charisma, and attention-loving. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=6)