Presidential Election Of 2028

Speculation Begins About Successor To Donald Trump Among MAGA Republicans, As His “Lame Duck” Status Has Begun!

One year since the Presidential Election of 2024, and Donald Trump is facing defeats, challenges, losses, and is no longer seen as invulnerable.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a “true believer”, has denounced Trump for abandoning many of the ideas that he promoted in the campaign, and she is not the only one who is starting to rebel against the concept that Donald Trump is invulnerable.

And rumors and gossip is spreading about who will succeed Trump, as the term “lame duck” has started to permeate political discussions.

Of course, Vice President JD Vance is the theoretical successor, and might end up in the White House, as Donald Trump continues to deteriorate mentally, and as his unpredictable behavior multiplies.

But even if that happens, it is not a guarantee that Vance would be the heir of MAGA Republicans, as there are too many ambitious people to claim that Vance is a shoo in for 2028.

Among those who seem likely to compete are:

Eric Trump, the President’s younger son from his first marriage

Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky

But there are others as well, including

Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri

Four Democrats, Straight White Christian Men, May Be Best Alternatives For 2028!

In a time of so much division and conflict in America, it is noticeable that most of the potential Democratic Party Presidential contenders are perceived as having disadvantages in a time of white Christian nationalist extremism taking over the Republican Party, encouraged by Donald Trump.

The following list of 20 potential Presidential contenders is quite revealing, as we have the elections next week in NYC, New Jersey, Virginia, and the California vote on reapportionment of Congressional seats.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are females—Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Klobuchar.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are African Americans or Latino or Asian ethnicity—Wes Moore, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, Stephen A. Smith, Ruben Gallego, Ro Khanna.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are Jewish—JD Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Jared Polis, Jon Ossoff, Josh Green.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are gay—Pete Buttigieg, Jared Polis.

And then, we have white male “straight” Christian Presidential contenders—Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, Chris Murphy, Mark Kelly.

One could argue that in the present political climate, the latter four names—all white male “straight” Christian contenders—might be the best bet moving forward, although saying that is tragic, as it should not matter if one is a female, a racial minority, Jewish, or Gay individual.

Other than Barack Obama, the sad truth is that no woman, racial minority, Jewish, or gay politician, has been able to break through to this point, a sad commentary on American life!

Kamala Harris Memoir Burns Bridges, Likely Insures End Of Political Career!

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, by publishing a memoir with strong statements about many political leaders she has worked with, is likely burning her bridges, making it highly doubtful that she will ever again hold public office.

History records that once a Presidential nominee has lost election to the White House, the odds are extremely high that such individual will never be President.

There are only six cases of a defeated Presidential nominee going on to be elected President–three before the Civil War, once in the Gilded Age, once in the mid 20th century, and finally, Donald Trump.

Two of the cases–Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump– won the Presidency, then lost, and then returned, so unusual and special cases. In the case of Cleveland, he won in 1884, lost in 1888, and won in 1892. Trump won in 2016, lost in 2020, and won in 2024.

The three before the Civil War were Thomas Jefferson, who lost in 1796 and won in 1800; Andrew Jackson, who lost in 1824, and won in 1828; and William Henry Harrison, who lost in 1836 and won in 1840.

Finally, Richard Nixon lost in 1960, but then won in 1968 and 1972.

So the odds of Harris coming back are very low, but additionally, by being critical of Joe and Jill Biden and the Biden Staff, and stating her reasons for not selecting Josh Shapiro or Pete Buttigieg as her Vice Presidential running mate instead of Tim Walz, has caused controversy and a sense of anger by those individuals and others.

And it is generally well known that Kamala Harris was not an easy person to work for, losing staff regularly in the Senate and the Vice Presidency.

One gets the feeling from her appearance on Rachel Maddow, and on “The View”, that she does not seem to have the “fire in the belly” to compete in another strenuous Presidential campaign.

It would have been easier for Harris to have run for California Governor, with assurance of an easy victory, and a major role in the largest state’s impact in reaction to Donald Trump and the Republican Party, just like Gavin Newsom is now waging.

So it seems clear this is the end of any serious “comeback” by Kamala Harris to national politics.

Instead, she is on a major speaking tour to promote her book, and to spread the argument of strong opposition to the horrors of Donald Trump, but not a formal national or state role in that effort.

Democratic Governors Rich Mine For Presidency!

It turns out that in the midst of the Trump Authoritarian Crisis the nation faces, that it is much more Democratic Governors than Democratic members of Congress who are actively on the attack against the abuses perpetrated by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and the utilization of the National Guard in Washington DC, Los Angeles, and threatened expansion to Chicago and other “Blue” cities and states.

In so doing, the following group of Governors are raising attention as leading potential Democratic Presidential contenders for 2028, including

Gavin Newsom of California
JD Pritzker of Illinois
Wes Moore of Maryland
Andy Beshear of Kentucky
Tim Walz of Minnesota
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania

In addition, other Democratic Governors, although not seen as likely Presidential contenders, are actively challenging the Trump policies including:

Kathy Hochul of New York
Ned Lamont of Connecticut
Jared Polis of Colorado
Katie Hobbs of Arizona
Maura Healey of Massachusetts
Phil Murphy of New Jersey
Josh Stein of North Carolina
Tony Evers of Wisconsin

Maryland Governor Wes Moore MSNBC Jen Psaki Interview An Inspiration, Emerging As Sensational Presidential Possibility In 2028!

Maryland Governor Wes Moore appeared on Jen Psaki’s evening show on MSNBC on Tuesday evening, and it was a true revelation.

Already impressed with Moore before now, this author and blogger was “blown away” by Moore’s tough stand on the issue of Donald Trump using the National Guard in Washington, DC, and calling out the President for his lies about crime statistics.

His 20 minute interview was masterful, and one sensed, whether he intends so or not, that Moore has been catapulted into the Democratic Presidential field for 2028!

There will be a multitude of potential candidates over the next few years, but Moore certainly drew attention by his assertiveness and toughness, and reminds one in many ways of former President Barack Obama.

As a Governor and with a military record one can be proud of, Moore has advantages in both areas of expertise, that even Obama did not have.

And having had one African American President, there is no reason why the nation cannot, 20 years after the election of the first African American President, have a repeat scenario once again of a man who would do the nation proud, and help to revive American democracy!

Rachel Maddow Makes Clear: Authoritarianism Has Arrived Under Donald Trump! :(

On Monday evening, the great Rachel Maddow on MSNBC made the clear announcement that Authoritarianism has arrived! 🙁

It is no longer an issue of whether it is occurring, or is in process.

When one looks at the multitude of events and statements over the past six plus months, America is in dire straits in so many ways.

The Republican Party in Congress and the majority of the Supreme Court are in unison with most of what is being perpetrated by Donald Trump, his Cabinet, and others.

While there is opposition still existing, we have seen caving in by many law firms, corporations, and even more troubling, by several leading universities, and even concessions by ABC and CBS, and the end of the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, which helped support public televsion and radio since 1969.

This is the most depressing time in American history, and may be ranked historically as the most dangerous times since the threat of Fascism and Nazism in World War II.

It is hard not to be in despair, and a sense of fear has spread, as ICE agents arrest and detain people without just cause, and most having no criminal record of any kind.

Nativism, racism, misogyny, homophobia all are having their heyday! 🙁

American democracy is facing unprecedented challenges, and American national security is endangered, as America’s relationship with the world, including its long time allies, is endangered by the highest tariffs in a century, and a sense of lack of reliability of the nation to the world around it.

But, as Rachel Maddow makes clear, it is not a time for just despair, but rather for determination to resist in every way possible, including NOT allowing the naked attempt of Republicans to fix the 2026 Congressional elections and Congressional and Presidential Elections of 2028 and beyond.

There is widespread outrage being openly expressed all across the nation, and courage and principle must continue to be utilized in an active resistance!

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear In South Carolina Promotes Speculation About 2028!

In the midst of so much gloom and doom over the past six months, it is nice to see examples of hope for the future.

Therefore, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who has managed to be elected Governor twice in a Republican dominated state, is an inspiration.

Beshear has managed to promote decency and empathy, along with competence and accomplishments, that are making him a notable potential contender for the White House in 2028.

In pursuit of that possible goal, Beshear spent two days in the crucial primary state of South Carolina, making a great impression with his personality and goals for the nation at large.

Most importantly, Beshear comes across as a very likable and engaging personality, and clearly, should be seen as a major contender in the future of the Democratic Party.

Early Prognosis Of Potential Republican Presidential Contenders In 2028

Already, just short of six months into the second term of Donald Trump, speculation is rampant as to potential Republican Presidential contenders in 2028.

From this author and blogger’s perspective, it is a literal “horror’s list” of potential Presidential nominees.

It includes:

Vice President JD Vance, assuming he does not succeed to the Presidency during this term

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also, presently, National Security Advisor

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, primarily responsible for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which now will have more funds to promote arrest and deportation than many government militaries worldwide have.

US Senators Ted Cruz of Texas; Rand Paul of Kentucky; and Tim Scott of South Carolina, with the first two having contended against Donald Trump in 2016.

Governors Brian Kemp of Georgia; Glenn Youngkin of Virginia (both who will be out of their Governorships at the end of 2026 and 2025 respectively): and Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, former Press Secretary to Trump in his first term.

There may be other contenders as well, but looking at this list, it is a horrible group, with this author and blogger’s personal opinion being that Noem, Cruz, and Huckabee Sanders are the worst of the worst.

But Vance, Paul, and Scott are not much “better”, and Kemp and Youngkin, while comparatively less controversial, are still far from adequate.

Out of this list, Marco Rubio is the “best”, but simply not being as horrendous as the others!

Hopefully, none of these or any other Republican contenders gain the White House in the Presidential Election of 2028!

Odd Change Of Support For Both Political Parties: Will It Affect The Future?

The tradition has been that African Americans and Latinos, and people who are working class and less educated voters, tend to vote Democratic, and that white suburbanites and wealthy, educated voters vote Republican.

That changed in the Presidential Election Of 2024, but it is hard to know if it is simply a one time occurrence.

What is clear also is that young women are moving more toward the Democrats, while younger men are moving toward the Republicans, but again, that may be an outlier as well.

It makes trying to project ahead for the Midterm Congressional and state elections of 2026, and the Presidential Election of 2028, a massive challenge for both parties.

At this point, Democrats have a tremendous, talented group of Governors, along with a few Senators and Representatives, who are seen as potential national candidates.

Having so many potential candidates may be a blessing, or a curse, while the Republicans, seemingly, have far fewer potential candidates.

Recruitment of candidates for state and national office is in full swing now, as the talent pool will be particularly urgent for Democrats!

Whether the Democrats can reorganize much of the coalition that won the Presidency twice for Barack Obama ins 2008 and 2012 is a crucial matter, as we plan ahead for 2026 and 2028.

The Problem Of Age In The Presidency Made Clear!

At the end of his time in the Presidency, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who left office in January 1961 at the age of 70 years and 3 months, was the oldest President in American history.

Eisenhower made the statement that no one older than himself as he left office should be in the Oval Office.

However, that was not to be, as Ronald Reagan entered the Presidency a few weeks short of 70, and had signs of Alzheimer’s Disease detected by his second term, although he was well protected by his staff who denied any issue, and left office nearly 78 years old. Only years later, was it made clear that he had dementia, and he lived on until age 93, but not even knowing his own wife, Nancy, in the last few years of his life.

And then, we had others even older when winning the Presidency than Reagan, becoming nominees–specifically Bob Dole at age 73 in 1996, and John McCain at age 72 in 2008.

Neither won the Presidency, but the age issue was still there, and then Donald Trump won the Presidency and was seven months beyond the age of 70 when he took the Presidential oath in 2017.

And then, Joe Biden won the Presidency, and took the oath at age 78 in 2021.

And finally, Donald Trump returned to the White House at age 78 in 2025, five months older than Biden was four years earlier.

So the issue of age has become a crisis, and not only for Presidents, but also for members of Congress, and sometimes Governors, who are serving in their 70s and 80s, avoiding retirement.

There is a dire need for some youth in the Presidency, like we had with John F. Kennedy at age 43 in 1961; Bill Clinton at age 46 (and his Vice President Al Gore at age 44) in 1993; and Barack Obama at 47 in 2009.

Sadly, Joe Biden displayed evidence of mental and physical decline, now being debated and published about, and Donald Trump, both in his first, and now his second term, has also shown great evidence of decline.

So in 2028, youth is likely to be triumphant, and all for the better, although one can be sure some political figures who are reaching higher ages, are likely to contend for the Presidential nominations.