**The Democratic Party’s Struggle to Find a 2028 Candidate: A Comedy of Errors**
As the political landscape begins to take shape for the upcoming presidential elections, one thing’s certain: the Democrats have a daunting task ahead when it comes to selecting a standout candidate for 2028. With Trump emerging in the political spotlight once more, you’d think the opposition would be scrambling to find their top talent. Instead, a recent whimsical piece from the Washington Post aired out the names of 12 Democratic hopefuls that could potentially vie for the presidency in 2028, and let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly a star-studded lineup.
At the bottom of the list, Tim Walls found himself in the twelfth spot. If one had hoped the name would fade away into obscurity after a lackluster vice presidential bid, that dream was dashed. The notorious debate performance, which seemed more like a nervous school presentation than a national showcase, did little to inspire hope. Walls has somehow managed to cling to this list—not through triumphs but rather through a collective amnesia about how poorly things went last time around.
Next, we have Josh Stein taking the eleventh position, a contender that many might wonder about. While he might hold office as the Governor of North Carolina, his recognition outside of state lines appears to be as thin as communion wine at a Baptist picnic. Stein might be a local hero to a select few, but to the broader electorate, he’s practically a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Could he really compete on a national level? It’s hard to say anyone’s convinced of that.
Following Stein is Kentucky Governor Andy Bashear, who seems to ride on the coattails of his last name rather than any unique charm or decisive victories. His popularity in a traditionally red state could easily evaporate in a puff of smoke the moment the national spotlight shines. Bashear may be seen as a “winner,” but nothing seems more like a winning strategy than getting swept under the rug in a conversation about serious and credible candidates.
Then comes one of the more flamboyant names on the list—Gavin Newsom. Now, this is a man whose headline-grabbing capabilities do not translate into effective governance. While his home state seems to be embroiled in perpetual chaos (cue the raging wildfires), Newsom’s aspirations to be number one feel as though they were set ablaze along with the hills of California. If the Democrats want to nominate someone with a resume soaked in disaster, they might as well hand the nomination to a well-known reality TV star instead.
As far as candidates go, a slew of names continues to tumble down the list. Raphael Warnock comes up next, boasting victories amid a messy political landscape in Georgia. But let’s face it—his success could be largely attributed to the unfortunate lack of strong competitors on the Republican side. Kamala Harris, on the other hand, is another contender who has managed to hang around despite a performance that left many scratching their heads. Perhaps the nostalgia for her past run is stronger than the actual promise of her future, but nostalgia alone won’t win elections.
In all this confusion, it seems the Democrats are caught in a whirlwind of lackluster options, leading to increasingly desperate assessments of potential candidates. Whether it’s Gretchen Whitmer (whom many believe could barely hold a favored seat), or John Fetterman—whose surprising notoriety might be more indicative of his snappy hoodies than his capabilities—none of the names really inspire confidence.
Even Josh Shapiro, who ranks high on the list, is merely seen as the best out of a decidedly unimpressive group. He’s managed to avoid the pitfalls that ensnared others, but voters might wonder if he’s just a flavor of the month—one that lacks the lasting taste for a robust presidential campaign. With each guess as to who might emerge as the Democratic candidate, laughter seems to punctuate the air. Perhaps JD Vance put it best; if this is their best lineup, it’s certainly a show worth getting tickets for—even if just for the absurdity of it all!
