**The Left’s 2028 Candidate Conundrum: A Comedy of Errors?**
As the dust settles from the 2024 election, political watchers are already turning their gaze towards 2028. The Democratic Party seems to be struggling to find suitable candidates to challenge their Republican counterparts, and their list of potential contenders reads more like a comedic sketch than a serious political line-up. The excitement—or lack thereof—on the left is palpable, leaving many to wonder who among this motley crew could possibly emerge victorious.
The Hill recently released a list of the top ten Democratic contenders for the 2028 election, and let’s just say, the names are surprising. Tenth place is occupied by none other than Stephen A. Smith, the well-known ESPN personality. Yes, you read that correctly—a sports commentator who has only floated the idea of running for office is ranked in the top ten! One has to wonder if the Democratic Party is so desperate that they’re considering hiring role players from sports to run for the presidency. Who’s next, a contestant from a reality TV show?
Following Smith, we have Rahm Emanuel, the former Chief of Staff for Barack Obama. He’s been out of the limelight for so long that many may not even remember what he looks like. It’s as if the party had a “Who’s Who” of washed-up politicians, and Rahm slipped in unnoticed. Next in line is Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has earned more headlines for his pothole adventures than for substantial political achievements. It seems that the left is hoping the power of good vibes and clever hashtags will carry him to victory.
In fact, the list continues with a few more names that add to the sense of disarray. J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire governor, made it to the top ten as well. While his wallet may be deep, history shows that money doesn’t always translate into political success. And then there’s Kamala Harris, whose previous run was riddled with problems. It’s almost laughable to include her as a contender after she struggled to gain traction in the 2020 race. The notion that she might be the party’s savior is reminiscent of a bad sitcom!
As the list unfolds, we see even more familiar faces, including Gretchen Whitmer and California’s Gavin Newsom. Whitmer may be riding on the sympathy of a past kidnapping scheme, but her track record during the pandemic raises eyebrows. Meanwhile, Newsom’s efforts to navigate California’s state of chaos leave much to be desired. Both candidates seem to embody the challenges of trying to appeal to a party that is still trying to define itself in a rapidly changing political landscape.
Among the contenders, there is talk of Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, who is viewed as a semblance of competence amid the chaos. Yet, even he faces internal party challenges, navigating complex issues surrounding Israel and anti-Semitism in his party. The terrain is rocky, and one has to question whether he is truly a frontrunner.
And then, standing atop the Hill’s list with a flourish, we have Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The mere mention of her name stirs up both infamy and admiration. If the party embraces AOC as the face of their future, Republicans might just pop the popcorn in anticipation of the political drama that would unfold. She represents a youthful energy within the party but also embodies the far-left movements that could make traditional Democrats uneasy.
The Democratic “dream team” for 2028 is more akin to a mixed bag of misfits, leaving many to ponder whether the left can rally behind any one candidate. Will they be able to find a leader who resonates with a diverse electorate and unifies an increasingly fragmented party? Or will they continue to squabble amongst themselves while a strong Republican challenger emerges from the other side?
In short, the political circus for 2028 has already begun, and if the early contenders are any indication, the left might just be in for a wild ride. Stay tuned, folks—it looks like the only certainty in the upcoming election is that it will be entertaining!