Staff Reports
The Democratic Party finds itself teetering on the brink of disaster after last November’s catastrophic losses, yet it appears that the lessons learned from this electoral humiliation are MIA. Just days after the former Vice President’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of President Donald Trump, the polls indicate that Kamala Harris remains a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential nomination, albeit with an undercurrent of uncertainty from primary voters. Clearly, the Democrats are once again taking it easy, casting no meaningful alternatives into the fray.
The Washington Post recently compiled a list of twelve Democrats deemed most viable for 2028. Unsurprisingly, the article opens with a not-so-subtle jab at Trump but conveniently glosses over the Democrats’ pressing predicaments. The Democrats seem lost, devoid of direction and coherent messaging, particularly on critical issues like law enforcement and immigration. Instead of nailing down a unifying narrative, they seem more preoccupied with their internal squabbles and “awkwardly” conceding ground to the right.
Let's Take a Look at These Potential Democratic Contenders for 2028 https://t.co/twKl2hXfnz
— Marlon East Of The Pecos (@Darksideleader2) January 27, 2025
Among the candidates is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a name that raises eyebrows as he neither salvaged the Democratic ticket in 2024 nor has demonstrated any significant appeal since his infamous selection as Harris’s running mate. In fact, he managed to lose his home county to Trump—a fine representation of how the ship is sinking. On the other end of the spectrum is Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, who found a smattering of success in a red state, largely focusing his messaging on abortion. However, during the last election cycle, he made headlines for some ludicrous comments about Vice President JD Vance’s family—a move that, rather than bolstering his chances, only showcased the depths to which the Democratic ethos has sunk.
California Governor Gavin Newsom continues to assert himself in the mix despite his recent mishandling of wildfires in his state and multiple recall efforts against him. The man is practically a political arsonist—leaving chaos in his wake while shifting blame to everyone but himself. His position lacks substantiation, especially given the losses Democrats suffered across the board in 2024 on cultural issues. Still, Newsom’s ambition seems to secure him a place on this baffling list.
Then there’s John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, whose stint as a senator has been anything but typical. His bizarre rise, from recovering from a stroke to chatting it up on Joe Rogan’s podcast, inevitably raises questions about whether he truly appeals to the Democratic base. He seems to hope for some sort of strategy that welcomes Trump voters into the party, which could either be brilliant or utterly misguided—depending on which side of the political spectrum one stands on. Meanwhile, let’s not forget his role in losing Pennsylvania to Trump, presenting a solid case for Democrats wanting to steer clear of anyone resembling him in the future.
Finally, the list reaches its zenith with Shapiro, whose near-selection as Harris’s running mate fuels speculation about the ongoing antisemitism and divisive attitudes within the Democratic ranks. Even Democrats themselves have mulled over the “what if” scenarios—what if Harris had chosen him instead of the unremarkable Walz? This could’ve shifted dynamics, but watching Democrats long for better talent is like watching a toddler try to put together a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing. Yet, Shapiro’s sheen as a moderate might invoke legitimate concern among Republicans, if only the Democrats could first get their house in order. Instead, they languish in a state of political disarray, offering nothing but comedy—albeit unintentional—to the rest of the country.
