# 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:** 99
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1965 "2026-05-13T21:48:49Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > . . . Senate-to-POTUS is not a very succesful path historically but having her running beyond her district means more practice at getting someone from the red lands to at least look at you. Looking at you is not the measure. Voting is. If she does better than the Republican national tickets in purple New York counties and congressional districts, that experience would be qualifying for national electoral success. But what if she does does worst than other Democrats in purple counties, making up for it with a landslide in Manhattan and Brooklyn? This – and I think it would happen – would show she was a poor national prospect. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1966 "2026-05-14T01:23:13Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > From the polling I’ve seen, AOC is one of the very rare US politicians currently in the “positive” overall – i.e. more Americans like her than dislike her (and it’s not very close – if I’m reading the below correctly, she’s currently +13): Newsom also, but not by that much- > **[Gavin Newsom popularity & fame | YouGov](https://yougov.com/en-us/topics/public_figure/Gavin_Newsom)** > > Gavin Newsom is the 15th most popular Democrat and the 18th most popular politician. Explore the latest YouGov polling, survey results and articles about Gavin Newsom. But there are others- > **[The most popular Democrats in America 2026 | Politics | YouGov Ratings](https://yougov.com/en-us/ratings/Democrats)** > > The most popular Democrats in America according to YouGov Ratings. Popularity is based on millions of responses from the American public and YouGov's innovative survey methodology. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > If that polling is accurate, then Republican negative messaging about her has so far failed to take hold nationally. The GOP hate machine, aided by the Kremlin, doesnt start up until a person is a contender. Okay, Hillary was a bit of an exception, but she was in the public eye for quite sometime. The GOP never even bothered to run negative propaganda vs Sanders. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2026, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1967 "2026-05-14T11:43:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The GOP hate machine, aided by the Kremlin, doesnt start up until a person is a contender. The right wing has gone completely nuts about AOC for years. Cites available on request, but hating on her has long been an enjoyable past-time for the troglodyte talking heads. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1968 "2026-05-14T14:47:22Z")
Yeah, they just went down to a medium-low simmer because she did not, as Miley would put it, “come in like a wrecking ball” to take over the Dems. But they still take every chance for a poke or hit. Honestly when she was the noob too many habitual chatterers on _both_ Right and Left tended to project too much on her too soon. If she is seen as making a move, the heat will be quickly cranked back up high. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1969 "2026-05-14T15:03:34Z")
You’re focused on performance in purple areas, which is important. But you can also project national appeal by seeing how candidates perform relative to their national tickets even in very blue or very red districts. Checking it out, AOC is a mixed bag. She ran five points ahead of Harris in '24, but five points behind Biden in '20. In midterm years, she was basically even with Schumer in '22. Her best year ever was her first, 2018, when she got 78% of the vote – but Kirsten Gillebrand got 87%. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1970 "2026-05-18T17:00:48Z")
Not positive if this belongs here, but I recall discussions about AOC’s answer to a question about Taiwan, and I couldn’t find a better place: > **[Matt Negrin still host of Hardball on MSNBC (@mattnegrin.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/mattnegrin.bsky.social/post/3mm56aiu5ek2a)** > > The NYT removed the "um"s in Trump's answer on Taiwan, but put "um"s in AOC's answer on Taiwan to make her look dumb > > Trump said "Um, I would say 'like' is maybe too strong a word...um, no, I'm holding that in abeyance and it depends on China,... > The NYT removed the "um"s in Trump’s answer on Taiwan, but put "um"s in AOC’s answer on Taiwan to make her look dumb > Trump said “Um, I would say ‘like’ is maybe too strong a word…um, no, I’m holding that in abeyance and it depends on China, depends, it’s a, it’s a..” Democrats should be treating the media like the enemy it is. Even the NYT gives preferential treatment to Trump. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1971 "2026-05-18T18:46:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The NYT removed the "um"s in Trump’s answer on Taiwan, but put "um"s in AOC’s answer on Taiwan to make her look dumb Or, maybe just because they used a transcript, rather than a few selected quotes. But there was a whole thread about how the NYT treated Biden. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1972 "2026-05-18T19:08:39Z")
If the Times is doing that intentionally, that’s despicable. Fortunately, all it takes is a few seconds of listening to Trump and AOC speak to tell which one is smart from the illiterate dumbass. Unfortunately, well, you know how this country voted. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1973 "2026-05-18T19:16:59Z")
They voted for AOC _and_ trump. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1974 "2026-05-18T19:22:15Z")
I think you missed my point, but nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![ZosterSandstorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1975 "2026-05-18T19:26:56Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Democrats should be treating the media like the enemy it is. Even the NYT gives preferential treatment to Trump. More of the loser mentality. It’s not possible that maybe the problem is AOC represents a DSA constituency that is actively anti-US and would love to see China overrun Taiwan, so she knows she can’t give any sort of unambiguous statement about this issue without pissing off either her base or the average voter, who finds her beliefs repellent. No, the issue is that one news article may have chose to transcribe her saying the word “um.” This all smacks of preparing to make yet more excuses for losing, two and a half years out from the election, instead of taking winning seriously (an activity which would of course involve precluding extremists who swing voters hate like AOC from the nomination). ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1976 "2026-05-18T19:32:53Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > AOC represents a DSA constituency that is actively anti-US and would love to see China overrun Taiwan East Bronx? > **[New York's 14th congressional district](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York%27s_14th_congressional_district)** > > New York's 14th congressional district is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives located in New York City, represented by Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. > The district includes the eastern part of The Bronx and part of north-central Queens. The Queens portion includes the neighborhoods of Astoria, College Point, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside. The Bronx portion of the district includes the neighborhoods of City Island, Countr... ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1977 "2026-05-18T21:14:24Z")
Right, treating media as the enemy has worked _so badly_ for Republicans (and Trump in particular)… ---
**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:** [May 19, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1979 "2026-05-19T00:25:13Z")
Yeah, people don’t join DSA because they like affordable housing or universal health care. It’s mostly driven by a burning hatred of Taiwanese independence. /s ---
**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:** [May 19, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1980 "2026-05-19T01:05:15Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > and would love to see China overrun Taiwan Wait, that was AOC that just delayed a massive arms sale to Taiwan because the Chinese dictator showed him a pretty house? Who knew? I thought it was Trump. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1981 "2026-05-21T14:32:19Z")
An interesting piece on Pritzker, broken into bite-sized morsels: > **[JB Pritzker's Moment](https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/june-july-2026/jb-pritzkers-moment/)** > > The governor opens up about his tragic past, beefing with Trump, and talk of a White House run. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1982 "2026-05-22T02:52:04Z")
This didn’t convince me, but I found it interesting. MS NOW: Why a Pennsylvania blowout could be Josh Shapiro’s ticket to 2028: > **[Why a Pennsylvania blowout could be Josh Shapiro’s ticket to 2028](https://www.ms.now/news/josh-shapiro-pennsylvania-governor-2028-president)** > > The Pennsylvania governor cruised to renomination Tuesday, the first step in a re-election bid that could double as a 2028 launching pad — if he decides to use it. ---
**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:** [May 28, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1983 "2026-05-28T19:55:41Z")
Whitmer says she isn’t going to run. Now I know a lot of people say that before changing their minds, but I really don’t think she will. So, if she was on your short -list of favs, I think you can safely scratch her off. [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/28/gretchen-whitmer-2028-president-00940998](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/28/gretchen-whitmer-2028-president-00940998) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1984 "2026-05-28T20:36:19Z")
Here’s CNN’s coverage of it: > **[Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’s not running for president in 2028 |...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/28/politics/michigan-gov-whitmer-not-running-for-president-2028)** > > Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer threw cold water Thursday on the idea of a 2028 presidential bid, saying that while “there will be a robust group of people running for president, I will not be one of them.” ---
**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:** [May 29, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/1985 "2026-05-29T00:04:17Z")
Whitmer backtracked a few hours later: > [@](#): > > Democratic Gov. [Gretchen Whitmer](https://apnews.com/hub/gretchen-whitmer) of Michigan on Thursday said she has “nothing to announce” about a possible 2028 presidential bid, stepping back her comment from hours earlier that she will not run for president after leaving office later this year. > > “You know, I never thought I would run for governor, so I guess I should know better than to say any of it. Never say never,” Whitmer said when asked about the remarks during a one-on-one session Thursday afternoon at Michigan’s annual Mackinac policy conference. > > “At this juncture, I’ve got nothing to announce,” she added. > **[Michigan Gov. Whitmer says she won't run for president in 2028. Then...](https://apnews.com/article/whitmer-president-michigan-governor-democrats-2028-4721c9afcf8e899e29e69ceca47d6b3d)** > > Democrat Gretchen Whitmer has backtracked on an earlier comment about running for president in 2028, saying she has “nothing to announce.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=98) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=100)