# 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:** 66
**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 12, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1301 "2026-01-12T18:53:33Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > You don’t need to worry. He’s not even going to run, never mind win anything. I tend to agree. Emanuel has an interesting, well-rounded career, which, _hypothetically_, could make him well-suited for the role: three terms in the House of Representatives, two terms as mayor of Chicago, a longtime advisor in the Clinton Administration, a year as Obama’s Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan under Biden. But, his approval ratings declined during his two terms as mayor, and in particular, he was widely criticized, especially by the Black community, for how he and his administration handled the shooting of a Black teenager by a Chicago police officer in 2014 – that led to him losing an appointment to the the staff of _The Atlantic_ after he left office in 2019, and also led to opposition by the progressive wing of the party when he was being considered for a Cabinet role in the Biden Administration. So, yeah, if he were to run for the nomination, I think he’d be strongly opposed by progressives. ---
**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 13, 2026, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1302 "2026-01-13T09:15:14Z")
Won’t someone PLEASE think of the billionaires?! > **[Ryan Mac 🙃 (@rmac.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/rmac.bsky.social/post/3mcbt3hw7is23)** > > Governor Gavin Newsom speaks out against a proposed initiative to tax California billionaires: “This will be defeated — there’s no question in my mind... I’ll do what I have to do to protect the... ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1303 "2026-01-15T02:43:17Z")
Generations aren’t “responsible” for anything. I, as a boomer, am no more responsible for others of my birth year than I am those with whom I share pigmentation or an astrological sign. Saying otherwise flirts with ageism, the last “respectable” form of bigotry. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1304 "2026-01-15T03:45:23Z")
Oh, Gavin honey, no! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1305 "2026-01-15T04:00:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [@rmac.bsky.social on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/rmac.bsky.social/post/3mcbt3hw7is23) It is a _wealth tax,_ which are really bad ideas. Now, if it was a couple % more added on to CA Income tax, that would be a good idea. And it isnt even close to being on the ballot yet. > **[What to Know About California's Proposed 'Billionaire Tax'](https://time.com/7345976/california-billionaire-wealth-tax-newsom/)** > > The proposed measure is facing opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom as some billionaires begin cutting ties with the state. \*Newsom said that a wealth tax that takes from billionaires’ assets instead of their incomes is “something very, very different” than the state’s progressive income tax, which already taxes high earners at the highest tax rate in the country. He added that he would be more open to a similar proposal carried out on the federal level. \* _“It’s one thing to have a prism of the nation, and you can talk about 50 states. It’s another when you’re competing against 49 other states,” he said._ Newsom is right, it is a bad idea. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1306 "2026-01-15T04:05:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > It is a _wealth tax,_ which are really bad ideas. …because? > [@DrDeth](#): > > And it isnt even close to being on the ballot yet. And if he has his way it won’t be, because he wants billionaires to fund his campaign. > [@DrDeth](#): > > which already taxes high earners at the highest tax rate in the country. Not highly enough. > [@DrDeth](#): > > He added that he would be more open to a similar proposal carried out on the federal level. \* Which he knows is impossible because of the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, so in effect he’s saying he’s not open to it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1307 "2026-01-15T04:10:11Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …because? You have to have some grounding in tax laws and economics, but here are some links to read- [https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4782461-wealth-tax-supreme-court-decision/](https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4782461-wealth-tax-supreme-court-decision/) > **[The High Cost of Wealth Taxes](https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/eu/wealth-tax-impact/)** > > Many developed countries have repealed their wealth taxes in recent years for a variety of reasons. They raise little revenue, create high administrative costs, and induce an outflow of wealthy individuals and their money. Many policymakers have also... > **[The Wealth Tax Is A Poor Idea](https://www.hoover.org/research/wealth-tax-poor-idea)** > > Pro-growth policies make sense, by making everyone better off. Tax gimmicks don’t. Pretty much this is the consensus among economists. > [@Smapti](#): > > Which he knows is impossible because of the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, so in effect he’s saying he’s not open to it. There is no such threshold for tax laws. But if you mean the Filibuster, that can go away at any time. It already has exemptions. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1308 "2026-01-15T04:16:46Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Generations aren’t “responsible” for anything. I understand that. I was talking about perceptions. ---
**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 15, 2026, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1309 "2026-01-15T04:19:32Z")
Let’s say I don’t have an estimated 30 minutes to read what a “pro-business” think tank has to say about why taxes are bad. Why should I care about an “outflow of wealthy individuals”? Oh no, we’re not gonna get the money that we weren’t taxing them for! Let ‘em go gentrify Jackson Hole, WY, then. I’m sure they’ll find the local amenities and culture are exaclt what they’re used to. Maybe once Mitt Romney and the Waltons move out the rest of us might actually be able to afford to live here again. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1310 "2026-01-15T19:43:34Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Let’s say I don’t have an estimated 30 minutes to read what a “pro-business” think tank has to say about why taxes are bad. Why should I care about an “outflow of wealthy individuals”? Oh no, we’re not gonna get the money that we weren’t taxing them for! Of course. You asked the question, and I answered it with solid cites, none of which you are even willing to read. ---
**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 15, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1311 "2026-01-15T20:18:33Z")
Meanwhile, Gavin continues to pal around with the alt-right. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hf7ezrajxadu7v3tzcyij424/bafkreiao5lfprahw6y4kow62j27aggbvm5bxzr4aotdmhcralb732ziuyy@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hf7ezrajxadu7v3tzcyij424/bafkreiao5lfprahw6y4kow62j27aggbvm5bxzr4aotdmhcralb732ziuyy@jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1312 "2026-01-16T00:26:11Z")
Interviewing someone does not = “pal around with”. ---
**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 16, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1313 "2026-01-16T00:30:49Z")
Gavin Newsom isn’t a cub reporter who has to interview whoever J. Jonah Jameson assigns him to. It’s his show. He can invite on whoever he wants, and his invitation is a tacit endorsement that he believes their opinions are valid and worth a public audience. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1314 "2026-01-16T00:34:39Z")
Barbara Walters interviewed Putin, Castro, Thatcher, Saddam Hussain…And she did get to pick and choose, being the foremost interviewer in her time. Do you think she thought “their opinions are valid and worth a public audience.”? So, wrong again. You interview people that would be interesting and draw a large audience. Not a bunch of bobble-head yes-men. ---
**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 16, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1315 "2026-01-16T00:48:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Barbara Walters interviewed Putin, Castro, Thatcher, Saddam Hussain… Barbara Walters wasn’t running for president. > [@DrDeth](#): > > You interview people that would be interesting and draw a large audience. It’s not Newsom’s job to generate ratings. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1316 "2026-01-16T01:27:55Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It’s not Newsom’s job to generate ratings. It sorta is. To a significant extent that’s what running for president is these days. I don’t listen to Newsom’s podcast because I’m not a fan of his, so I can’t speak to particulars. But I’m agnostic about at least the notion of him inviting on radical right pundits like the late Kirk and Shapiro, which I’m sure he believes (rightly or wrongly) he can out argue. Depending on how he approaches it of course - if he just softballs them 100% then I wouldn’t see the point. It’s I’m sure a very cynical bit of campaigning/baiting at the very least and I wouldn’t agree with giving those guys a forum to express their often repugnant (however “politely” expressed) views if they were fringe characters . Unfortunately they already had/have huge public forums and aren’t marginalized in any way, shape or form. Confronting them directly (however “politely”) might be worth a vote or two if he can score points - in this day and age, if it works, it works. I’m getting pretty cynical myself at times. It also might backfire. Like I said, not a huge Newsom fan (even though I think he is both intelligent and competent) and you couldn’t pay me to listen to Shapiro and Newsom bloviate together. But I’m not an idealist, so it’s a shoulder shrug from me. ---
**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 16, 2026, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1317 "2026-01-16T06:10:42Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Depending on how he approaches it of course - if he just softballs them 100% then I wouldn’t see the point. About that… [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:57u42jqpdw43lr75iju6xy5v/bafkreifhkegr5cbka6fejhsfz3ze32rb5mhxhp2bzdpbpudlv4xh5inj2q@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:57u42jqpdw43lr75iju6xy5v/bafkreifhkegr5cbka6fejhsfz3ze32rb5mhxhp2bzdpbpudlv4xh5inj2q@jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1318 "2026-01-16T20:29:47Z")
You know, you might read what was posted- What trump is doing with ICE could be considered “state sponsored terrorism” without individual ICE officers being terrorists. ---
**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 16, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1319 "2026-01-16T20:39:38Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What trump is doing with ICE could be considered “state sponsored terrorism” without individual ICE officers being terrorists. ICE officers are terrorists. They are engaged in spreading terror. They’re killing unarmed people in cold blood. They’re assaulting women and children. They’re attacking peaceful protesters with chemical weapons. They’re going door-to-door trying to round people up based on their race. They are engaged in a literal reign of terror. Gavin Newsom has no moral fortitude and believes in nothing and allows himself to be pushed around by right-wing ideologues because he thinks he can get their audiences to vote for him. If he is the nominee he will lose for the same reasons Harris and Clinton lost. ---
**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 29, 2026, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1320 "2026-01-29T04:32:12Z")
Gavin “Blue MAGA” Newsom has his finger on the pulse of the electorate yet again, I see. [https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article314342147.html](https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article314342147.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=65) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=67)