Who might the Democrats field for Presidential Election 2028? Will they win?

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Just wondering about this. I don't see anyone obvious emerging yet, do you? Shouldn't the Democrats be out there with their likely candidate(s) NOW, in opposition to Trump and the Republicans. Maybe it's too early yet. But I think it's getting late!

What do you think? Is anyone obvious to you...

I really hope it isn't Newsom for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the State government is far too big in California, you can't fart without a permit. My friend took a year and a half and tens of thousands of dollars just to change the interior of her house, all because the government had to sign off on permits. There was a gin distillery in Napa that wanted to add a patio to its restaurant - one million in permit and inspection fees. The Palisades will not be rebuilt under the conditions he's built.

Secondly crime and homelessness has gotten considerably worse over the last 10 years, when my husband travels there are areas he's told not to stop and even the four grown men he's walking together with are off their phones and on high alert in certain areas. Michael Shellenburger's important book "San Fransicko" details the incredible machine that is homelessness charities, why it isn't working and that lots of people are benefitting who shouldn't.

They have passed laws which fail to consider second order consequences. For example, Bill SB 357 makes it illegal to stop someone who looks like they are curb walking as it might upset women and those "walking while trans". Creepy Scott Wiener is all over this one. However, police on the ground have complained that it fails to protect as if they see what looks like a 12 year old kerb walking in the red light district they are unable to detain her and it emboldens traffickers. So now open kerb crawling is back. The Police call is the Safe streets for Pimps act.

Also everyone seems to have forgotten his affair when he was married to Kimberley Gilfoyle when he shagged his friend's wife who was working for Newsom at the time. He was out to dinner at French Laundry when he told everyone in California to stay at home. He's really got the moral compass of a scummy man.

Gavin Newsom would be my choice at the moment. I don’t necessarily think he would be the best candidate but he would be the most likely to win out of those mentioned. Josh Shapiro is Jewish, which of course shouldn’t make any difference but it would over here.

The situation is too fragile to put anyone other than a straight, white, Christian man up. Sorry to say that in 2026 but it’s true.

Nothing wrong with Prince Harry, and Newsom is by far the most articulate leader the US has.

What happened to Beto O’ Rourke ? Wasn’t he supposed to do very well at one time ?

Well it will be a straight white male. Nobody brown or female.

newsom- i find his engaging in toddler-like insults with Trump on social media a bit idiotic.

I get the feeling what the US looks for in a politician is very different to what we do in the UK. The US seems to think having money is the measure of success, and don’t vote for education or qualifications for the role.

While Newsom does not impress me much, I have to agree with you that a Dem win is absolutely necessary, and if that means someone who is surface popular, so be it.

As another pp said, US voters may have different views to us on this side of the pond regarding who they think is a good candidate. Well as long as there is no repeat of Trump, I'm sure people could live with that.

I like Mark Kelly and I think Chris Murphy, who's also very good, will throw his hat in the ring. Newsom does some really good things (i.e. getting CA to rejoin the WHO) but he's divisive and a bit too slick. I don't see him picking up a lot of fans in the midwest. Shapiro's a little centrist/safe to me.

But the truth is that I think we need a good, bruising primary and we'll see who's left standing. I like the idea of a centrist + more progressive ticket, like Kelly/AOC.

Mamdani can't run for prez as he's not US born. I wish more of them would study what he does and how he does it, though. He's an amazing politician.

Oh yes, I forgot that Mamdani was born in Uganda. Such a pity (only regarding his eligibility for President!). Maybe the rules could change in the future to include naturalised citizens of over 20 years or something. Controversial I'm sure!

Will look up Chris Murphy, haven't heard his name in dispatches yet. As for Shapiro, sadly it would appear that the white Christian profile seems to be the only one allowed!

As a person of Irish origin, I smiled when I saw the names Mark Kelly and Chris Murphy. Sounds Irish to me!

My one hope is that the Dems get off their butts and get moving on this. Time goes by so quickly and now is the perfect time to get some names out there at least.

No chance of Mamdani being President anyway. He is a very specific response to a very specific situation. I voted for him and like him well enough so far but the rest of the USA would not.

I also really liked Pete last time around, but I'm finding myself irritated by how safe he's playing it. He's good at debate, absolutely kneecaps them when he goes on Fox, but he never says anything these days that doesn't feel crafted in a focus group. I think people want someone with some passion right now.

No, but I think some candidates could really look to him for methods and how to adapt them in ways that can work in other areas. He's on top of things, very unapologetic, and seems to really enjoy what he does. His social media presence has been so good, and whenever I seem him interviewed or talking, he's super skilled at turning the conversation back to the point he wants to make or the message he wants to get across.

Wes Moore I think will also give it a shot. He's good, but also plays things pretty safely.

What two cases?

I've wondered that myself. I saw a snippet on TV that reminded me that he seemed smart, energetic, and charismatic.

Funny, for a while, some people joked that it should be Michelle Obama as president and Barrack as VP.

The thing is, there is a very strong unspoken status barrier that I don't think most Americans are even aware of that would prevent a president from taking a lesser position.

Really hoping for Pete Buttegieg.

Much as I like her, there is no chance of AOC being on any ticket, let alone getting elected, as she is thought of as way too left wing in the US as a whole. Bernie Sanders, who is slightly left of Tony Blair, is considered a raging Socialist.

Don't.

The only way for America to survive is to have a candidate who can win.

Having a candidate who is homosexual, or Muslim, or anything like that, is a bad choice.

Buttegieg also has very little experience. I know he was in the Biden administration but being mayor of a small town is not really preparation for being President, not like being a governor, senator or even congressman is.

I am aware we currently have someone in the White House who started off with fuck all experience but Democrats are always held to a higher standard than Republicans, it’s just the way it is

Gosh, I hope you can hear how that sounds.

It's terrible, but I agree. That's the only way a candidate can win. The US is absolutely not ready for a woman president, and any deviation from being a White, Christian, straight male becomes a huge distraction.

To be fair, Hilary Clinton did win the popular vote, although I suppose we've regressed about 20 years since 2016.

The US system is very strange.
I wish there was a “US Politics for Dummies” book

Andy Beshear is also worth keeping an eye on. He's been quiet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he jumps in.

I hope it sounds realistic.

At this exact moment in time, Democrats shouldn't keep putting forward candidates who won't win, due to Republican prejudice.

Exactly. It's awful, but the crucial thing right now is to try to stop this death-spiral.

I think in theory maybe a woman could win, but I don't see the right woman at the moment. In my opinion, Kamala Harris was never a good choice. (Personally, I still think that at this moment in time, Hillary Clinton is the best qualified candidate.) But the biggest hurdle would be sexuality.