# 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:** 51
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1001 "2025-12-01T21:38:02Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > And does that disqualify him as a candidate? I did not say that- > [@DrDeth](#): > > He takes some pretty extreme views, such as confiscation of “assault guns”, etc. That is an extreme view. That just makes him less electable. Since he is at least 35 years old, be a natural-born U.S. citizen, and has been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years- he is not disqualified. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1002 "2025-12-01T22:12:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Booker at one time pushed for door to door confiscation of “assault weapons”. Uh, yeah, [I found the receipts](https://x.com/CoryBooker/status/1183780451439263744#:~:text=Calling%20buyback%20programs%20%22confiscation%22%20is%20doing%20the,them%252C%20@PeteButtigieg%E2%80%94and%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20need%20our%20help.): > Calling buyback programs “confiscation” is doing the NRA’s work for them, > > [@PeteButtigieg](https://x.com/PeteButtigieg) > > —and they don’t need our help. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1003 "2025-12-01T22:56:02Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Calling buyback programs “confiscation” is doing the NRA’s work for them, > > [@PeteButtigieg](https://x.com/PeteButtigieg) Great, that is Petes opinion, which is not Bookers. > **[Federal Interviews and Confiscation: Will NH Dems Back Booker's Aggressive...](https://nhjournal.com/federal-interviews-and-confiscation-will-nh-dems-back-bookers-aggressive-gun-control-plan/)** > > New Hampshire - Federal Interviews and Confiscation: Will NH Dems Back Booker's Aggressive Gun Control Plan? - NH Journal - _An assault weapons ban, with a “reasonable time period” for current owners to turn their weapons into the government before facing possible prosecution._ Even that cite calls it ‘aggressive”. Someone who already owns such a weapon would have two choices- turn it in or have it confiscated and maybe prosecution. This is different than the mainstream Dem plan- which I have no major issue with- of banning future sales. Here are Pete’s views= > **[Pete Buttigieg: 2020 Democratic presidential candidate shares his views on...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/11/07/2020-election-presidential-candidate-pete-buttigieg-shares-views-issues/4158991002/)** > > We asked presidential candidates questions about issues facing the country. Here's what Pete Buttigieg had to say about climate change, gun control, health care and other issues. Not the same as Bookers. **But I dont want this turned into yet another gun control debate.** ---
**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:** [December 1, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1004 "2025-12-01T23:23:30Z")
You’re the one who brings up gun control whenever someone mentions Booker. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1005 "2025-12-01T23:37:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Great, that is Petes opinion, which is not Bookers. No it isn’t. You continue to post incorrectly on this matter. That was a Tweet by Booker, not by Buttigieg. Please read more carefully. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1006 "2025-12-02T03:18:02Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > That was a Tweet by Booker, not by Buttigieg. When I clicked on it, it went to Petes X page. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1007 "2025-12-02T05:28:53Z")
I may be alone here, but I think the Democrats have actually done a good job articulating their platform: social equality and a level playing field economically. While I think ‘social equality’ has majority support, I’m not sure that ‘level playing field’ does – even among Democrats. Part of the challenge is that Democrats have been running on ‘eat more broccoli’ compared to the Republicans running on ‘eat more cake’. Real solutions to today’s issues are just too complex to articulate in soundbites. It’s much easier to embrace and spew populism. So what should the Democratic frontrunners campaign on that is a ‘vote for me argument’ instead of a ‘vote against them’? Tariffs? Government reform? 1% tax rates? Supreme court nominations? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1008 "2025-12-02T11:00:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When I clicked on it, it went to Petes X page. Oh for the love of Pete. You didn’t click on the link that I labeled “the receipts,” you clicked on the @ link, which is a link to the person Booker was talking to. This would be a great time to admit your mistake on this specific issue and on your criticism of Booker as a whole. In any case, I think it’s well-established at this point that you’re incorrect, and I’ve got nothing more to say on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1009 "2025-12-02T14:31:46Z")
None of those are good examples. No tariffs is the standard, so that one is definitely a vote against the other guy argument. None of the rest are arguments on why the Democrats would make people’s lives better. What you need to do is respond to what voters are actually complain about. You need to articulate a vision on lowering housing costs, creating stable jobs, keeping groceries affordable…. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1010 "2025-12-02T15:10:41Z")
“Affordable housing, affordable groceries, affordable healthcare” Nothing else matters. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1011 "2025-12-02T17:56:39Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > So what should the Democratic frontrunners campaign on that is a ‘vote for me argument’ instead of a ‘vote against them’? A good candidate does both. Any Democratic candidate already has the I’m voting against the other guy vote. They also need to be able to be articulate on what they would do in order to get those that would otherwise stay home. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1012 "2025-12-02T20:47:49Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Oh for the love of Pete. You didn’t click on the link that I labeled “the receipts,” you clicked on the @ link, which is a link to the person Booker was talking to. This would be a great time to admit your mistake on this specific issue Yep, i did click on the wrong thig, > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > your criticism of Booker as a whole. Nope. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > In any case, I think it’s well-established at this point that you’re incorrect, Yep, I did click on the wrong thing. So, Booker says a “mandatory gun buyback, with penalties if no compliance” is not “confiscation”, right? Sure. > [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > No tariffs is the standard, AFAIK, the USA has always had some sort of tariffs. Not anything close to the current lev el, of course. > **[History of tariffs in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tariffs_in_the_United_States)** > > Tariffs have historically played a key role in the trade policy of the United States. Economic historian Douglas Irwin classifies U.S. tariff history into three periods: a revenue period (ca. 1790–1860), a restriction period (1861–1933) and a reciprocity period (from 1934 onwards). In the first period, from 1790 to 1860, average tariffs increased from 20 percent to 60 percent before declining again to 20 percent. From 1861 to 1933, which Irwin characterizes as the "restriction period", the ... ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1013 "2025-12-02T22:58:11Z")
IMO, arguing about Booker vs. Buttigieg in a discussion of 2028 presidential candidates is kinda like asking whether the Padres or the Rockies are gonna win the World Series next year. ---
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1014 "2025-12-03T20:04:01Z")
Shrug, I guess I am the lone voice then who really likes Pete Buttigieg. I do wish he had run in the Michigan Senate or Governor’s race to prove he can win a statewide election first. I don’t think being gay is that big a deterrent anymore. The majority of people who care about that are voting Republican no matter who the Democrats run. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1015 "2025-12-03T20:06:24Z")
I like him too. I’d love to vote for him, but I’m not as sure as you are that the gay thing doesn’t matter. We just hang around cool people. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1016 "2025-12-03T21:26:06Z")
> [@Calder](#): > > Shrug, I guess I am the lone voice then who really likes Pete Buttigieg. I do wish he had run in the Michigan Senate or Governor’s race to prove he can win a statewide election first. I do too, but I thing we agree his experience is lacking- a term as Governor or Senator or even Representative would give him more chops. > [@Calder](#): > > I don’t think being gay is that big a deterrent anymore. The majority of people who care about that are voting Republican no matter who the Democrats run. I am really not sure if 2028 voters are ready yet, but after he gets more experience, I hope for a run in 2032, I mean sure- GOPers will vote NO, and Dems will vote Yea, but how about the 1/3 of the voters who are Indys? ---
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1017 "2025-12-03T21:41:01Z")
Well to be fair, I did say big deterrent not that it won’t be a factor. Being gay will still be a factor on the margins. I just think he has positioned himself so well on that front that it won’t be as much of a factor for him. The way he talks about God, church, and his family. His personality also comes across as fairly straight-laced and conventional. I think he is the best communicator as a politician since Obama. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1018 "2025-12-04T21:11:18Z")
Keeping an eye on this guy… > # ‘They’ve chosen the wrong guy’: Mark Kelly rises as foil to Trump > > [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/they-ve-chosen-the-wrong-guy-mark-kelly-rises-as-foil-to-trump/ar-AA1RIVPt?ocid=socialshare](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/they-ve-chosen-the-wrong-guy-mark-kelly-rises-as-foil-to-trump/ar-AA1RIVPt?ocid=socialshare) > … > Since appearing in a video last month with other Democratic lawmakers reminding the military they can defy illegal orders, something that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth [himself acknowledged in 2016](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/us/hegseth-illegal-orders-video-democrats-kfile-invs), Kelly has seemingly been everywhere, blanketing cable news and late-night talk shows to slam Trump and Hegseth for their handling of military strikes against suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea. He’s called both men unqualified for their office, dismissed their attempts to silence him as “ridiculous” and “embarrassing,” and insisted he won’t be bullied into backing down. > … > The row with Trump has earned Kelly the kind of national attention that other Democrats also eyeing a run for the presidency can only dream of. As a former astronaut and decorated U.S. Navy veteran of 25 years who flew combat missions in the Middle East, and as a Democrat from a battleground state, Kelly would make a compelling candidate if he decides to enter what will likely be a crowded race to succeed Trump in 2028. > > “They’ve chosen the wrong guy to make a target here,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told HuffPost. “He is resisting this attempt to silence and stifle him with courage.” > > “I think this only points out, number one, his experience, but also his reputation,” added fellow Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who is also viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028. “So I think it is backfiring on them.” > … ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1019 "2025-12-04T21:15:08Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “They’ve chosen the wrong guy to make a target here,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told HuffPost. “He is resisting this attempt to silence and stifle him with courage.” That is a good point. Kelly is a real veteran, too. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1020 "2025-12-04T22:38:51Z")
I dunno if he would want to put Gabby Giffords through the stress of potentially becoming First Lady, but he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=52)