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2028 Democratic power rankings, right now (2 hours ago)
Axios ^ | 07/27/2026 | Alex Thompson

Posted on 07/27/2026 12:19:42 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd

What Axios' Alex Thompson is hearing from Democratic insiders about the party's most likely 2028 Democratic nominees, as told to Jim VandeHei for his weekly Axios C-Suite newsletter:

1. Kamala Harris. She is far ahead of every other contender with Black voters, still the most important voting bloc in a Democratic primary. Her allies argue that no one else is as prepared for a national campaign. She was a better candidate in 2024 than in 2020 and is working hard to be a better, more authentic, less cautious candidate in 2028. Harris is likely a beneficiary of Democrats' preliminary choice yesterday of South Carolina, instead of Nevada, for the first Democratic presidential primary of 2028.

2. AOC. No one else can plausibly claim to be Bernie Sanders' rightful heir, and she channels where the energy of the party is right now. If Bernie endorses her on Day 1, she will raise $100 million without talking to a single donor. The question isn't whether she'd be a top contender, but rather whether she decides to run for Senate instead.

3. Gavin Newsom. He's the best political athlete in the field who can stand apart in the debates. He can convincingly argue that he's done more than any other Democrat to push back against President Trump at a time when Democrats feel powerless. With his longtime connections in Silicon Valley and non-doomer views, he'll also have access to deep pockets — but that California baggage is heavy.

4. TBD center-left candidate. Big business, the party establishment and some voters are desperate for a more moderate choice. They'll have many options, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Rahm Emanuel, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. At a time of populist anger, it's unclear how big this lane is — and if it's big enough for more than one candidate. Right now, it feels like an establishment fantasy.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 2028
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Why is Newsom not the favorite? I think Kamala is wishful thinking on our part. We WISH she would be the candidate again.
1 posted on 07/27/2026 12:19:42 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: Responsibility2nd

Kamel-la is authentically retarded.


2 posted on 07/27/2026 12:22:09 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
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To: Responsibility2nd

Her name is still in Finland’s dictionary. “Terrible -awful”.


3 posted on 07/27/2026 12:23:13 PM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: Responsibility2nd

In 2024, the campaign “experts” funneled a lot of the BILLIONS spent on the Harris campaign into their own pockets.

They just want more $$$.

Reminds me of the polling “experts” in the 2016 election. Hillary was a shoe-in, a done deal. Why would anyone listen to anything else these “experts” have to say? Then again, they are all democRATs.


4 posted on 07/27/2026 12:25:45 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
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To: Paladin2

Anyone Democrat or otherwise that thinks Kamala is a viable candidate or presidential material needs some serious mental health counseling.

But then again, we are talking about Democrats. The world’s largest open air psychiatric asylum other than Islam.


5 posted on 07/27/2026 12:32:29 PM PDT by sjmjax
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To: Responsibility2nd

I think that someone like Beshear of Kentucky would be our biggest problem. I think they’re top choices are eminently beatable.


6 posted on 07/27/2026 12:32:37 PM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands (If someone says that there are no absolutes, ask them if they are absolutely sure.)
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To: Responsibility2nd

Because the R candidate just has to point to CA and say “he did that, do you really want him to do that to the whole country?” He would be destroyed.


7 posted on 07/27/2026 12:32:58 PM PDT by Jeff Vader
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To: Responsibility2nd

> Why is Newsom not the favorite? <

Earlier today I took a look at a Las Vegas betting site. Among the D’s, Newsom is the 2028 favorite there. AOC is second. Kamala is far down the list.

Interestingly enough, Barack Obama (who cannot run again) is listed higher than Hillary Clinton. Weird, huh?

https://lasvegassportsbetting.com/politics/2028-us-presidential-election-odds/


8 posted on 07/27/2026 12:33:14 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

The Democrat host has a live parasite eating it from the inside. 2028 is a long way away for such a sick party. By then the DSA may be the ones that tell the Democrats who they will be allowed to run.


9 posted on 07/27/2026 12:33:31 PM PDT by Kudsman (4728)
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To: Responsibility2nd

Get ready for word salad vs grease ball.


10 posted on 07/27/2026 12:34:24 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Responsibility2nd

Kam-kam is “working hard to be authentic”. ROFL! If the knute was authentic she wouldn’t have to “work at it”.


11 posted on 07/27/2026 12:37:32 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Paladin2

“””Kamel-la is authentically retarded”””

That is offensive to retards. She is worse than that. Can you imagine her going through an actual primary and then a full campaign schedule???


12 posted on 07/27/2026 12:39:55 PM PDT by shelterguy
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To: Leaning Right

Barack Obama (who cannot run again) is listed higher than Hillary Clinton.

- - - - - - -

There are people on polymarket betting that Trump will win the 2028 Republican primary.


13 posted on 07/27/2026 12:41:30 PM PDT by TTFX
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To: Kudsman

That wouldn’t be surprising at all.


14 posted on 07/27/2026 12:42:36 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Responsibility2nd

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. Best choice? Otay!


15 posted on 07/27/2026 12:44:06 PM PDT by rktman (Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)
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To: Responsibility2nd

“She (Kamala) was a better candidate in 2024 than in 2020.” LOL. Lowest bar in history. She didn’t make it to the first primary.


16 posted on 07/27/2026 12:45:18 PM PDT by LizzieD
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To: Paladin2
Most likely to be a puppet, like Joe Bai Dung, the most popular president ever who got 81 million votes.

But not likely 81 million actual voters.

17 posted on 07/27/2026 12:56:21 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys many aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
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To: Responsibility2nd

The base will never nominate #3 or any of #4.
This leaves you with Dumb and Dumber.
The only question is which is which.


18 posted on 07/27/2026 12:56:52 PM PDT by Zathras
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To: Responsibility2nd

That’s the First String! And what a bench.

If only an R candidate would force any of them to debate the issues people really care about:
* Pro open borders
* Transing kids
* Pro weirdos, misfits, oddballs, and perverts (“inclusion”)
* Pro crime, pro criminal, antipolice
* Prosecuting thought-crime
* Pro baby murder
* Pro illegals voting, anti-voter ID
* Nonstop TDS; three assassination attempts
* Pro socialism, pro communism
* Pro high taxes and wealth transfer
* Crazies on the loose fighting ICE at every turn
* Ultra liberal judges thinking they run the country
* Leftists trying to ruin the nation’s 250th birthday
* Pro “climate catastrophe” and high energy prices; banning all fossil fuels


19 posted on 07/27/2026 12:57:26 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands

The base will never back him or Shapiro.


20 posted on 07/27/2026 12:58:04 PM PDT by Zathras
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