# 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:** 83
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1641 "2026-03-23T21:48:33Z")
And, I mean, a Democratic President could in fact do a lot to help the people of Illinois, probably more right now than a governor could do. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1642 "2026-03-24T19:20:13Z")
Newsom is now doing a full flip-flop on his Israel comments, because he stands for nothing and has no fixed beliefs other than “Gavin Newsom should be president”. > **[Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yasharali.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/yasharali.bsky.social/post/3mhsxzmvxgc2w)** > > Gavin Newsom confirms he is a Zionist. > > He says he “reveres the State of Israel” and is “proud to support the State of Israel.” > > He also says he regrets using the word apartheid to describe Israel and clarifies he was only channeling Tom Friedman’s... ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1643 "2026-03-24T19:24:28Z")
I’ve thought Newsom sucks for years, but I did think he was very sharp. I’m reconsidering that view. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1644 "2026-03-24T19:34:13Z")
Newsom said nothing of the sort, the word “Zionist” never passes his lips. He supports Israel but not Netanyahu- just like many do. No flip flop. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1645 "2026-03-24T19:57:50Z")
I am very glad to see Newsom clarify his earlier statements on Israel. None of the voters who have a problem with “I support Israel but not Bibi Netanyahu” are voters who would have voted for him anyways. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1646 "2026-03-26T22:05:07Z")
Shapiro is getting a bit of mockery for his educational priorities. > **[Governor Josh Shapiro (@governor.pa.gov)](https://bsky.app/profile/governor.pa.gov/post/3mhvkck66f425)** > > Letting our kids be kids also means getting back to the basics. That’s why, earlier this year, I signed into law a bipartisan bill that requires cursive handwriting to be taught in Pennsylvania schools. > **[Governor Josh Shapiro (@governor.pa.gov)](https://bsky.app/profile/governor.pa.gov/post/3mhvkck6dbe25)** > > It may seem strange, but cursive handwriting is a fundamental skill that all of our kids should learn. > > They may not get why now, but that’s how they’ll sign their very first check — or maybe even someday, a bill that gets to the Governor’s desk... Meanwhile, everyone under 40 is asking “What’s a check?” ---
**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:** [March 26, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1647 "2026-03-26T22:07:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Shapiro is getting a bit of mockery for his educational priorities I wouldn’t reject him as a candidate because of this, but it’s quite stupid (and deserving of mockery) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1648 "2026-03-26T22:22:21Z")
It was a _bipartisan_ bill? The sides in this country are crazily far apart, and _this_ is the one thing they manage to put aside their differences long enough to agree on, with Shapiro’s blessing? Pulling students away from valuable work, by mandating this? _That’s_ the priority? ---
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1649 "2026-03-26T22:33:15Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > It was a _bipartisan_ bill? > > The sides in this country are crazily far apart, and pulling students away from more valuable stuff is the one thing they manage to put aside their differences long enough to agree on, with Shapiro’s blessing? Shrug, “bipartisan bill” has degraded to such a point that even getting a single vote from the other side of the aisle qualifies. I agree that teaching cursive is as useful as teaching kids how to use a slide rule. Heck, I would say the cursive teaching I got in the 1980s was a waste of time, as I have only ever used it for signing my name. I haven’t seen the bill but I strongly suspect it did a lot more than just mandate teaching cursive handwriting. I do agree that this is a nothingbuger. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1650 "2026-03-26T22:39:18Z")
> [@Calder](#): > > I agree that teaching cursive is as useful as teaching kids how to use a slide rule. Hey, I resemble that remark. ---
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1651 "2026-03-26T22:43:35Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Hey, I resemble that remark. Now you have me curious. Are you a teacher, or did you have to learn the slide rule? ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1652 "2026-03-26T22:45:40Z")
I’m guessing that the cursive aspect was not some minor aspect of the bill that he didn’t think mattered. His posts about supporting cursive would imply that he thought it is important skill to learn. Most people will disagree with him on that. I suspect his posts will be used against him to show how out of touch he is with students and their current educational needs. Next he’ll be supporting a bill to require students learn how to use a rotary phone in case they’re at their grandparents house and need to make a call. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1653 "2026-03-26T22:45:59Z")
I’m a teacher, and I do teach my students to use a slide rule. Though I only spend one period on it in the semester. I don’t teach it because it’s a practical tool; I teach it because it’s a good illustration of the properties of logarithms, and also of the concept of limited precision. ---
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1654 "2026-03-26T22:55:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m a teacher, and I do teach my students to use a slide rule. Well then, let me take my foot out of my mouth and thank you for your service. Laugh. Actually, I would support what you are doing. ie it is useful for kids to be aware of the concept but not to spend meaningful time on cursive or the slide rule. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1655 "2026-03-26T22:58:30Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > I’m guessing that the cursive aspect was not some minor aspect of the bill that he didn’t think mattered. Thanks to the miracle of the internet, we don’t wonder, we know: > **[House Co-Sponsorship Memo 43567 Information; 2025-2026 Regular Session - PA...](https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=43567&document=HB17)** > > View the details of the Co-Sponsorship Memo, including the subject, who circulated it, and whether it has become PA Legislation. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1656 "2026-03-26T23:11:17Z")
Next thing you know, they’ll be forcing kids to learn how to read an analog clock! ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1657 "2026-03-26T23:24:36Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m a teacher, and I do teach my students to use a slide rule. Though I only spend one period on it in the semester. I would totally support one period in one semester to teach kids to sign their own names in cursive. Other than that, they can take cursive as an elective if they plan to read a bunch of old historical documents. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1658 "2026-03-27T00:30:08Z")
My understanding of cursive (having hated it and having atrocious handwriting) is that we really teach the wrong method using the wrong tools and that nothing was ever really designed for the invention of the ballpoint pen. ---
**Author:** ![ZosterSandstorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1659 "2026-03-27T02:12:39Z")
Learning cursive per se (as opposed to printed handwriting) is not that important. Being able to use a pen and paper instead of an electronic screen is extremely important, and Shapiro has stated that the cursive initiative is simply part of that goal. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1660 "2026-03-27T08:00:33Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > My understanding of cursive (having hated it and having atrocious handwriting) is that we really teach the wrong method From the other side of the pond, I get the impression that what you call “cursive” is close to the old-fashioned copperplate my father was taught in the 1920s but which died out in our schools by the 30s/40s, in favour of a simpler round hand\* for “joined up writing”, which AFAIK is still the norm. I agree there are other benefits to learning how to write clearly, confidently and fluently. All caps or just unjoined print gets wearing to read, as well as laborious to do - but so do all those curlicues. \*I know I should hate to say it, but Comic Sans has a part to play here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=82) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=84)