After President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris and the Republican Party’s clean sweep of both the Senate and the House, the Democrat Party is left scrambling to redefine its future.
The party, which suffered overwhelming rejection from voters in the 2024 election, now faces a critical crossroads.
However, instead of taking the opportunity for moderation or introspection, early signs suggest that the Democrats are doubling down on the radical left-wing policies that have led to their recent downfall.
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As the party contemplates its future, several extreme figures are being considered as potential presidential candidates for the 2028 election.
Among the names being floated are some of the most divisive and left-wing figures in American politics, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, according to reports from The Hill.
The outlet noted that many Democrats admire Ocasio-Cortez’s ability to “cut through the BS and tell it like it is.” According to one Democratic strategist, Ocasio-Cortez stands out for her bluntness, saying, “She’s somebody who can cut through the noise and doesn’t talk like Washington.” This, they claim, is a quality that appeals to younger voters, and they believe she would have no trouble using social media, podcasts, and other digital tools to engage with them.
JUST IN: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is considering making a run for President in 2028, according to the Hill
Should she do it? pic.twitter.com/DB9wHqXmJm
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 29, 2024
Ocasio-Cortez’s rise from a bartender in the Bronx to a leading voice for the far-left wing of the Democratic Party is well-documented.
Since her election to Congress in 2018, she has gained national attention for her bold progressive policies, most notably the Green New Deal.
Her ability to garner attention through Twitter has made her a darling of the left-wing base, although her track record has been less than stellar.
NEW: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could run for president in 2028 according to The Hill.
One Democrat strategist said their party is impressed with AOC’s ability to “cut through the BS and tell it like it is.”
“She’s somebody who can cut through the noise and doesn’t talk like… pic.twitter.com/3jvri2tinC
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 29, 2024
Critics point to moments like her opposition to Amazon’s HQ2 in New York City, which ultimately cost the city 25,000 jobs, or her controversial comparison of border detention facilities to “concentration camps,” a statement that was widely fact-checked and debunked.
For many, these gaffes expose her lack of seriousness and ability to handle the complexities of governance.
Despite this, Ocasio-Cortez’s name remains one of the top choices among progressive Democrats for a future presidential bid.
However, not all within the party are convinced. Some party strategists have raised concerns about her extreme left-wing views and the perception that she has pushed too hard, too fast.
“She and the ‘squad’ started pushing too hard, too fast,” one strategist commented. “D.C. doesn’t work that way. And our party doesn’t work that way. We need to get back to the basics.”
Ocasio-Cortez is not the only radical figure being considered.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, known for his strict pandemic restrictions and his elite status in the state’s political landscape, is also a top contender.
Governor Whitmer of Michigan, who gained national attention for her handling of COVID-19 restrictions, also continues to be a figure of interest for the Democrats.
Additionally, other names such as Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Illinois’ JB Pritzker, and several other governors and senators, including Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Wes Moore of Maryland, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Phil Murphy of New Jersey, are all being discussed as potential future candidates.
However, as the Democrats continue to struggle with their identity and strategy after the 2024 loss, many of these figures represent the continuation of policies and ideologies that voters have already rejected.
Rather than shifting to a more moderate or centrist stance, the party’s leadership seems intent on sticking with the far-left agenda that has alienated much of the electorate.
With figures like Ocasio-Cortez leading the charge, it seems clear that the Democratic Party is more interested in appeasing its base than appealing to the broader electorate that rejected them in the 2024 election.
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