# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/101 "2025-01-22T02:04:40Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > 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. > **[Mark Cuban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban)** > > Mark Cuban (born July 31, 1958) is an American businessman and television personality. He is the former principal owner and current minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), co-owner of 2929 Entertainment, and was one of the main "sharks" on the ABC reality television series Shark Tank. As of December 2024, Forbes estimates his net worth to be $5.7 billion. > Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cuban was involved at a young age in ventures ranging from se... _Cuban is an admirer of author [Ayn Rand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand).[[122]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban#cite_note-122) About Rand’s novel [The Fountainhead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead) , he said that it “was incredibly motivating to me. It encouraged me to think as an individual, take risks to reach my goals, and responsibility for my successes and failures. I loved it.”[[123]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban#cite_note-123) His political views have leaned toward [libertarianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism_in_the_United_States).[[124]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban#cite_note-124)_ > **[Deadspin | Mark Cuban's Crush On Ayn Rand](https://deadspin.com/mark-cubans-crush-on-ayn-rand-137464/)** > > Deadspin | Mark Cuban's Crush On Ayn Rand > [ Mark Cuban ](https://x.com/mcuban) [ @mcuban ](https://x.com/mcuban) _Hey tough guy lol. You should read some Ayn Rand. Here is a starter book for you to try_ To be fair, I also found two 3rd party cites that said he had abandoned Libertarianism. So?? It seems Rand is still a fave author, at least. > [@survinga](#): > > Andy Breashears…Any Democrat that can get elected, and then re-elected, governor in Kentucky can talk to Red America. > [@survinga](#): > > Roy Cooper…Any Democrat that can get elected twice to NC Governor has something going for him. Both look okay to me. > [@survinga](#): > > Josh Shapiro…he comes across well, IMO, and he’s been strong enough to win in Pennsylvania, which is a state we must have. Posters here seemed to really dislike him. > [@survinga](#): > > Regardless, we need the opposite of what Joe Biden gave us in 2024 in terms of energy, charisma, and attention-loving. No, we need exactly what Joe Biden brought. he beat trump, and was an excellent president. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/102 "2025-01-22T02:08:44Z")
JB Pritzker has been impressing me lately. > **[Pritzker slams Trump for trying to end birthright citizenship, demands...](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jb-pritzker-donald-trump-birthright-citizenship-elon-musk-hand-gesture-nazi-salute/)** > > Gov. JB Pritzker and President Trump had a fractious relationship during the president's first term, and things look to remain the same the second time around. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/103 "2025-01-22T02:18:50Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > Regardless, we need the opposite of what Joe Biden gave us in 2024 in terms of energy, charisma, and attention-loving. > [@DrDeth](#): > > No, we need exactly what Joe Biden brought. he beat trump, and was an excellent president. I seem to have missed that Joe Biden beat Trump _in 2024_. Let me repeat that since you seem to have missed the critical part of survinga’s post: IN 2024. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/104 "2025-01-22T02:26:06Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > I seem to have missed that Joe Biden beat Trump _in 2024_. > > Let me repeat that since you seem to have missed the critical part of survinga’s post: IN 2024. Joe Biden didnt run in 2024. Harris did. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/105 "2025-01-22T02:40:32Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Joe Biden didnt run in 2024. 🤣 Nimble dodge, dude. Nim-ble. [![](https://media.giphy.com/media/l3V0A2jkIp3Fc55WE/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611nn5yjdmsjoqg1k7p7bntsbd1nn4kpv9255pihhza&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g) ](https://media.giphy.com/media/l3V0A2jkIp3Fc55WE/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611nn5yjdmsjoqg1k7p7bntsbd1nn4kpv9255pihhza&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g) Please tell us more about how Joe Biden didn’t run for president in 2024. PLEASE. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/106 "2025-01-22T02:44:03Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > JB Pritzker has been impressing me lately. > > [Pritzker slams Trump for trying to end birthright citizenship, demands apology from Musk for gesture compared to Nazi salute - CBS Chicago](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jb-pritzker-donald-trump-birthright-citizenship-elon-musk-hand-gesture-nazi-salute/) As for birthright citizenship, once median/swing voters hear some details, ending birthright citizenship – unless blocked by SCOTUS – will prove popular. I cannot believe giving citizenship to babies born to tourists will sound good to swing voters. While of trivial importance, it doesn’t even sound good to a centrist Democrat like me. As for giving citizenship to children of undocumented workers, while I believe it beneficial, it is complicated to justify in terms of national interest – and those are the only terms that swing voters will accept. Winning the presidency in 2028 will be difficult for Democrats since they care about issues, while, except maybe for abortion, the Republicans care about winning. So there’s some cod liver oil a November-successful Democratic presidential nominee – and their supporters – will have to drink. Fetterman is out, but you guys are going to have to eat some bitterness in order to win. Eleven Democratic senators (plus Fetterman) – the ones who voted for the Laken Riley Act – seem to understand this. I do not think the other Democratic senators could win. The list is here: [These 12 [Senate] Democrats voted for the GOP immigration bill dubbed the Laken Riley Act](https://rollcall.com/2025/01/20/democrats-senate-laken-riley-act/) ---
**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:** [January 22, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/107 "2025-01-22T02:52:11Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > As for birthright citizenship, once median/swing voters hear some details, ending birthright citizenship – unless blocked by SCOTUS – will prove popular. > [@](#): > > In the latest AP-NORC poll, a slim majority of respondents, 51%, said they strongly or somewhat oppose “changing the Constitution so children born in the U.S. are not automatically granted citizenship if their parents are here illegally.” In contrast, 28% said they strongly or somewhat favor ending birthright citizenship, and 20% said they didn’t lean one way or the other. [https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article298897150.html](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article298897150.html) > [@](#): > > Of 924 voters, 63 percent said birthright citizenship should remain in place, granting any child born in the U.S. the [right to an American passport](https://www.newsweek.com/mary-trump-birthright-citizenship-helped-donald-trump-family-1997399). Meanwhile, 29 percent felt the system should be changed so that those born to noncitizens are not automatically eligible. > **[Most voters disagree with Donald Trump on birthright citizenship: Poll](https://www.newsweek.com/ending-birthright-citizenship-popularity-donald-trump-immigration-2003145)** > > The president-elect has repeatedly said he would seek to end the 120-year-old practice despite not having direct power to do so. ---
**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 22, 2025, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/108 "2025-01-22T03:05:42Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > Josh Shapiro…he comes across well, IMO, and he’s been strong enough to win in Pennsylvania, which is a state we must have. Disqualified. Doesn’t believe in jebus. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/109 "2025-01-22T03:08:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Doesn’t believe in jebus. Neither does Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/110 "2025-01-22T03:13:59Z")
Moderating: > [@Smapti](#): > > Neither does Trump. Which has nothing to do with the topic of this thread. Drop Trump references here, please. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/111 "2025-01-22T03:23:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No, we need exactly what Joe Biden brought. he beat trump, and was an excellent president. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Joe Biden didnt run in 2024. Harris did. So, you missed my point completely. Biden was a great president. But by the time he was running in 2024, he was low-energy, mumbling, awful in a debate, not trying to garner attention…we needed the opposite of that in 2024. He was no charisma. And we needed charisma. We need someone that can garner their share of attention, be very sharp, very loud, and in the face of the voters, and help us overwhelm whatever Trump Jr fascist we run against. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/112 "2025-01-22T03:47:45Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > > As for birthright citizenship, once median/swing voters hear some details, ending birthright citizenship – unless blocked by SCOTUS – will prove popular. > > In the latest AP-NORC poll, a slim majority of respondents, 51%, said they strongly or somewhat oppose “changing the Constitution so children born in the U.S. are not automatically granted citizenship if their parents are here illegally.” . . . We are talking past each other. The text of the Constitution is not changing. I hope the front-runner is someone more realistic here. I do not know where the senators will be on the birthright issue in early 2028, but suspect one of the Arizona senators will be where we need to be to win. P.S. This post was edited several times to comply with the last moderator note. I hope the constant changes didn’t cause any heads to spin 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 22, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/113 "2025-01-22T04:25:26Z")
I wonder if [Jeff Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Jackson_(politician)) is in the running. He’s a remarkably good politician, excellent at communication, absolutely oozes sincerity and intelligence, and is great at playing the game. 2028 might be too early for him: he might be up for NC governor in 2032, or for senator sooner than that (he ran in a primary some years back and withdrew when it became clear his only alternative was running a negative primary campaign). Maybe he’ll be a veep candidate. But I expect him to rise further than NC attorney general. ---
**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 22, 2025, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/114 "2025-01-22T04:33:06Z")
If we are going with a “no experience but trusted, takes no shit and will eat MAGA alive in debates” candidate, I think Jon Stewart is the obvious choice. ---
**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 22, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/115 "2025-01-22T04:35:26Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > There have been times when Newsom has gotten way out ahead of most of the country. One example is same-sex marriage. When he was mayor of San Francisco, he ordered the local government to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses before it was legal at the state or federal level. Um, this is a point in his favor, right? He was out front, and then everyone else eventually agreed with him, so we should trust his judgment? ---
**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 22, 2025, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/116 "2025-01-22T04:41:14Z")
I’m tempted to Pit CBS News for referring to Musk’s Nazi salute as “a gesture compared to a Nazi salute”. I like Pritzker but I think he has the same problems as Newsom; he’s from a notoriously liberal State and he looks like a corrupt politician from central casting. Also, Jewish. I’m not convinced any of those are actually dealbreakers, but Newsom seems to have been widely dismissed on those grounds. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/117 "2025-01-22T07:36:19Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@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. You mean eight years ago when Trump first took office? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/118 "2025-01-22T11:03:30Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > not convinced any of those are actually dealbreakers, but Newsom seems to have been widely dismissed on those grounds. I didn’t know he was Jewish! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/119 "2025-01-22T14:06:36Z")
I like Jeff Jackson a ton. He could calm me in a storm. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/120 "2025-01-22T15:34:52Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > If we are going with a “no experience but trusted, takes no shit and will eat MAGA alive in debates” candidate, I think Jon Stewart is the obvious choice. They could put those debates on pay-per-view, but I’m a bit wary of Stewart after his COVID conspiracy rant a couple of years back. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=7)