# 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:** 64
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1261 "2026-01-08T20:21:06Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > The problem with trying to appeal to swing voters is that, though I wouldn’t advise politicians to say this out loud, _swing voters are fucking morons._ People who _aren’t sure_ whether to support Trump or not aren’t any smarter than those who ardently support him, they’re just consuming a less toxic media diet. No, here you are wrong. I agree swing voters in _the 2024 presidential elections_ were not the sharpest tool in the shed, but even tho I am a lifelong Democrat, I voted for _Schwarzenegger_ for Governor. Always voting a straight ticket without knowing the candidates or issue is also bad. I also sometimes dither on a couple CA propositions until it is time to vote, reading the Voter information packet and double checking it. Being undecided or swing is fine- sometimes. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Don’t nominate anyone who is already known to be highly unpopular. Hillary Clinton was a massive unforced error for the Dems. The GOp hate propaganda machine will make sure any and all Dem candidates are hated by a substantial % of the population- the ones that wouldnt vote for them anyway. Hillary won the popular vote, do note. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Conversely, don’t NOT nominate someone just because they are a member of some minority group and/or are deemed “too far left”. Certainly don’t conclude that “America will never elect a woman” based on a sample size of two mediocre candidates. For example, right now I am highly dubious of AOC’s ability to win a national general election based on numerous prior assumptions: she’s a minority, a woman, quite young, and outspokenly leftist She doesnt have enough experience. Nor does Mayor Pete. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Focus on economic populism and “kitchen table issues”, because that’s where our strength is. Harris’ campaign was based largely on warning Americans that Trump was a threat to democracy Yes on the first half, but you are incorrect on the 2nd part. ---
**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 9, 2026, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1262 "2026-01-09T10:39:11Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > quite young What age do you think best in a candidate? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1263 "2026-01-09T11:06:40Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What age do you think best in a candidate? Everything else being equal — 35. Of course, everything else will not be equal. No Democrat that young will have a history where they won a race in a state or district that Trump won the same year. But the longer you are in politics, the more of a record the opposition has to work with. As for you being actually wiser as you age, that’s true of a few people. But defeating MAGA is, right now, too important to worry about something so debatable and uncertain and marginal. One question in my mind is whether Mark Kelly is already too old. Also, you can be young and already have had time to generate a big target for oppo research. There is no ideal candidate. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1264 "2026-01-09T15:50:36Z")
Personally I believe it’s Gen X’s time. I hope Harris is the last boomer candidate the Dems ever run. Pritzker ('65), Warnock ('69) Shapiro ('73) or Gallego ('79). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1265 "2026-01-09T19:03:27Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Personally I believe it’s Gen X’s time. I hope Harris is the last boomer candidate the Dems ever run. > > Pritzker ('65), Harris was born in 1964, which can be a Baby Boomer, but sometimes is called X, and there aint much differenced between 1964 and 1965. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1266 "2026-01-09T19:09:00Z")
Well no, she’s a Baby Boomer. Culturally, 64 and 65 are close, but she’s a Boomer, he’s X. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1267 "2026-01-09T19:19:50Z")
I checked on google and some say it is “Generation Jones” and some say the start of X- most do say Boomer, yes. Ai (take with a grain of salt) says " Yes, 1964 is generally considered the final year for the Baby Boomer generation (born 1946-1964), making someone born in 1964 a late Boomer, though they’re on the cusp and often share traits with Generation X (born 1965-1980). While official dates exist, individual experiences vary, with some 1964-born people identifying more as Gen X due to cultural shifts." and of course there is nothing official. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1268 "2026-01-09T19:22:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > While official dates exist I don’t think any of the “gen” stuff is “official.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1269 "2026-01-09T19:24:37Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I don’t think any of the “gen” stuff is “official.” Yes, which is why i said- > [@DrDeth](#): > > Ai (take with a grain of salt) and > [@DrDeth](#): > > " and of course there is nothing official. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1270 "2026-01-09T19:33:03Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I don’t think any of the “gen” stuff is “official.” Well, there is the [US Census Bureau](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/birth-cohorts-geographic-mobility-report.html) and the [Social Security Admin](https://www.ssa.gov/data/EOY-Generational-Data.html). Eta: I brought the whole generations things into the discussion just to say I’m sick of the optics of nominating boomers. Let’s start backing some Xers for president. '65-'80. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1271 "2026-01-09T19:36:41Z")
While much of this is correct, I don’t think you can afford to give up on these voters. Galvanizing these voters is a lot of Trumps success and you can’ afford to just concede these voters, particularly if you ever want the type of majority where you can actually get things done. It is a tough problem though. Some are stupid yes, but others just hate politics, or are too busy, or are just disconnected from that world. There wants can be eclectic and often contradictory or impossible so it is usually not worth pandering to their specific causes, particularly they are unlikely to listen to what you say They aren’t going to watch debates or follow the news with any regularity. That said I think having a plan and ability to connect to these voters is far more important than the race/sex/sexual orientation/experience/age of the candidate and even how progressive/moderate they are. You need to figure out how they consume information and utilize it talk to them. And while I agree focusing on economics is probably for the best, you do need to sound genuine when doing so, which is a huge problem with Democratic leadership who often seem to be spouting more focus group approved statements than actual sounding like real people. You need to actual make the people feel like their concerns are being listened and addressed. Can Harris do this? I see no evidence of it thus far. Can Kelly? Maybe. Talking on Maddow or Daily Show isn’t going to get to these voters though. Can [Buttigieg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Buttigieg)? Maybe. Fox News appearances might reach additional voters, though still not likely these low information voters. I don’t think the rest of the stuff matters as much. Whether ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1272 "2026-01-09T19:39:33Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I brought the whole generations things into the discussion just to say I’m sick of the optics of nominating boomers. I agree and I am also sick of nominating old people (like me). I just don’t like using arbitrary generational labels as if they have meaningful application to anything other than saying how old someone is. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1273 "2026-01-09T19:58:43Z")
I think there’s something to be said for age-related labels. For many young voters, Baby Boomers are their grandparents or even their great-grandparents, and they’re also the generation that’s been responsible for a lot of the problems they now see in the world. Even middle aged and older voters blame Baby Boom politicians for the mess we’re in. Gen X is new and unproven. They’re the parents of millennials, just one Gen removed. Even if it just comes down to marketing, a lot of presidential politics _is_ marketing. If a candidate like Pritzker can claim Generation X, where someone like Kelly or Harris couldn’t, that matters imo. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1274 "2026-01-09T20:01:18Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > For many young voters, Baby Boomers are their grandparents or even their great-grandparents, and they’re also the generation that’s been responsible for a lot of the problems they now see in the world. I’m sorry I hijacked. I’ll stop now, after saying “not all boomers.” ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1275 "2026-01-09T20:04:23Z")
I know, that’s true. Cuz you have rat-fucking millennials like JD Vance who are doing more as much harm to our world as any number of their predecessors combined. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1276 "2026-01-09T20:37:11Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > rat-fucking millennials like JD Vance In all fairness, he only resorts to that when there aren’t any couches available. ---
**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 9, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1277 "2026-01-09T21:47:04Z")
Shapiro’s running for his second term, which I very much hope he wins. And Doug Mastranio (or whatever his name is) not trying for the Governorship again. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1278 "2026-01-10T19:58:30Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I just don’t like using arbitrary generational labels as if they have meaningful application to anything other than saying how old someone is. Especially as Harris is only around 3 months older than Pritzker. The fact that we can call one a boomer and the other a Gen X is meaningless. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > If a candidate like Pritzker can claim Generation X, where someone like Kelly or Harris couldn’t, that matters imo. 3 months? ---
**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 10, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1279 "2026-01-10T20:02:10Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Especially as Harris is only around 3 months older than Pritzker. The fact > that we can call one a boomer and the other a Gen X is meaningless. Agreed; I think the distinction is only relevant to people who insist on being pedantic about it. The point that Harris (and Pritzker, etc.) are roughly 20 years (or more) younger than Trump and Biden (and a lot of senior Democratic leadership in the Senate, too) is the relevant point. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1280 "2026-01-10T20:08:14Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The point that Harris (and Pritzker, etc.) are roughly 20 years (or more) younger than Trump and Biden (and a lot of senior Democratic leadership in the Senate, too) is the relevant point. Yep, i concur. If Harris is too old, then so is Pritzker. But I do not think either is too old. Newsom- 1967. Buttigieg 1982. AOC= 1989 (but the last two need more experience). Shapiro 1973. So far in the polls it is Harris and Newsom battling it out for first place. Vance is massively ahead of anyone else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=63) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=65)