Raphael Warnock Of Georgia

Donald Trump’s Cruelty And Lunacy Challenged By Pope Leo XIV!

The United States and the world at large is living through tumultuous times with a cruel, inhumane President who issues lunatic utterances on a regular basis, undermining American Democracy, the rule of law, international stability, and threatening American National Security and World Peace.

The rant and hate promoted by Donald Trump on Easter, apparent willingness to commit war crimes on the people of Iran, and using the most obscene, foul language, should be an alarm bell, that leads to use of the 25th Amendment to remove Donald Trump from the White House.

At the same time, the world is inspired by the first American in the Papacy, Pope Leo XIV, who is promoting a humane, compassionate, sane view of Christianity, wishing to promote tolerance, open mindedness, and international peace.

It is clear that tens of millions of Americans, whether Catholic or not, are saluting the Pope, and wishing that he could restore the faith of Americans and foreign nations in the stability, morality, ethics, and common sense of the American Presidency, which has suffered massively in its reputation through the actions and statements of the President of the United States.

The idea that right wing Christian pastors promote the idea that Donald Trump can be compared to Jesus Christ is a totally crazy and dangerous concept. And the idea that such pastors justify the lack of compassion and tolerance of immigrants primarily of color from outside Europe is a clear indication of the crisis that exists in Christianity.

Instead of saluting political leaders such as Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock for their true depiction of the teachings of Jesus Christ, we see instead promotion of hate and division, and even ridicule of other religions, a true cancer on the idea of interfaith dialogue.

Analysis Of Potential Democratic Presidential Contenders In 2028, But Who Are The Likely Serious Contenders?

We are months away from the true beginning of the 2028 Presidential race, which will be in full blossom the day after the Midterm Elections take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

However, already, there are clearcut signs of activities and planning moving ahead, with the strong likelihood that we might see an overwhelming number of Democrats announcing for President, with the number possibly as high as in the mid 20s, similar to several past Presidential campaigns.

Many contenders will not be taken seriously, but even announcing for President gains lots of publicity and attention for any future ambitions.

At this point, the following ten potential contenders for the White House on the Democratic side, would seem to be the following in no specific order:

California Governor Gavin Newsom
Illinois Governor JD Pritzker
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker
Former Vice President Kamala Harris (California)

There is speculation about a wide variety of other potential candidates.

Other seen as far less likely include:

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff
Hawaii Governor Josh Green
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock

Those from the House of Representatives mentioned, although never has a member of the lower house of Congress been nominated, with the one exception of James A. Garfield, for the Republicans in 1880, while also a candidate for the US Senate, which he won on the same day he won the White House, are:

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
California Congressman Ro Khanna

From outside government, those mentioned include

Stephen A. Smith, sports media personality
Jon Stewart, commedian and commentator
Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Television Personality
Rahm Emanuel, former Ambassador to Japan and Mayor of Chicago

At this point, the odds would be very great that one of the first group of ten would be the nominee.

However, within that group, “negative” factors could be that

Kamala Harris is African American, Asian American, and female

Wes Moore and Cory Booker are African American

JD Pritzker and Josh Shapiro are Jewish

Pete Buttigieg is gay

Only Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly, and Chris Murphy would be seen as “traditional” contenders, meaning they are white male and straight, a sad commentary on America, that one even needs to mention that being a woman, or African American, or Jewish, or gay, is outside the so called “mainstream” of American politics in the past!

If we analyzed the remaining listed potential candidates for the Democrats, it would show the following:

Female—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gretchen Whitmer, Elissa Slotkin

African American or Asian American—Raphael Warnock, Stephen A. Smith, Ro Khanna

Latino American—Ruben Gallego, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Jewish—Elissa Slotkin, Jon Ossoff, Josh Green, Jared Polis, Jon Stewart, Mark Cuban, Rahm Emanuel

Gay—Jared Polis

So in conclusion, IF these various distinguishing factors are seen as detrimental in a Presidential campaign, then the choice that is left is only:

Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly, Chris Murphy

The Issue Of Age And Potential Democratic Presidential Contenders In 2028

The issue of age is a consideration as Democrats plan for the upcoming Presidential nomination process for the Presidential Election of 2028, once the Midterms in November are resolved.

With the last two Presidents being the oldest nominees and Presidents in American history, and the reality of signs of aging that have been exposed about both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, age is definitely an important consideration.

So this author and blogger has done research into the present age of the list of 25 potential contenders discussed two days ago on this blog.

Of course, the age of all 25 will increase by three years until the inauguration on January 20, 2029, so that is a consideration beyond the momentary statistics at this point of time.

Presently, there are two potential contenders who are in their late 30s–Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (36) and Jon Ossoff (39), so Ocasio-Cortez would still be under age 40 at the time of the inauguration, while Ossoff would be early 40s at nearly age 42, still in either case, the youngest President in American history.

Six of the potential Presidential contenders are presently in their 40s, bringing back the memory of John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Presently, they are Pete Buttigieg (44), Ruben Gallego (46), Wes Moore (47), Andy Beshear (48), Elissa Slotkin (49), and Ro Khanna (49). Of course, by Inauguration Day 2029, only Buttigieg and Gallego will still be under 50.

Eight of the potential Presidential contenders are presently in their 50s, including Jared Polis (50), Josh Shapiro (52), Chris Murphy (52), Gretchen Whitmer (54), Cory Booker (56), Raphael Warnock (56), Josh Green (56), and Gavin Newsom (58). All would still be under the age of 60, except Newsom, on Inauguration Day 2029.

Finally, nine of the potential Presidential contenders are presently in their 60s, including Mark Kelly (61) Kamala Harris (61), JB Pritzker (61), Jon Stewart (63), Jamie Raskin (63), Adam Schiff (65), Rahm Emanuel (66); Chris Van Hollen (67), and Mark Cuban (67).

So both Chris Van Hollen and Mark Cuban would be past the age of 70 on Inauguration Day, and Adam Schiff and Rahm Emanuel would reach age 70 during their four year term in office.

It is likely some of this long list of 25 contenders will end up not announcing, but this analysis of age is enlightening for discussion!

Speculation Begins On Potential Democratic Presidential Contenders

It is nine months until the Midterm Elections of 2026 for Congress, and state and local government.

But already, speculation has begun on who might run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028, and the list is long, and not just the usual speculated candidates.

Among those assumed to be likely to run are, in no special order:

Former Vice President Kamala Harris
California Governor Gavin Newsom
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

But beyond these much speculated potential candidates, there is a much longer list of others, in no special order:

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
California Congressman Ro Khanna
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff
Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego
Billionaire Entrepreneur Mark Cuban
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin
Hawaii Governor Josh Green
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen
Comedian and Political Commentator Jon Stewart
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
California Senator Adam Schiff

So the total potential list is at least 25 candidates, and who knows, if someone not on this list joins the fray!

There are 8 Governors on the list; 9 US Senators; 3 House members; two former Mayors and Cabinet members or Ambassadors; two outside government leaders; and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

And the list is extremely diverse in nature, including:

4 Women
6 White Male Christian
2 Latinos
4 African Americans
1 Hindu
11 Jews
2 Gays
2 Outside of Government

Democratic US Senate Races In 2026 Seen As “Safe” For Incumbents

With 35 US Senate races up for election in November, 2026, the following Democratic Senators are seen as having “safe” seats:

John Hickenlooper, Colorado
Chris Coons, Delaware
Cory Booker, New Jersey
Ben Ray Lujan, New Mexico
Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Mark Warner, Virginia

Also, Ed Markey, Massachusetts, who, however, is being challenged by fellow Democrat, Congressman Seth Moulton, mostly on the issue of age.

The following Senate seats that are Democratic are likely to remain so, but with challenges from Republicans:

(Dick Durbin), Illinois, who is retiring–with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi far ahead of competitors in fund raising and polling.

(Gary Peters), Michigan, who is retiring–with a hot three way race of Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who has the private support of Democratic Senate leadership; State Senator Mallory McMorrow; and former Wayne County, Michigan Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens is seen as centrist, while McMorrow and El-Sayed are seen as more progressive by comparison, and all three are 39-42 in age, so a new generation for sure, no matter who wins the nomination. All three are very close in public opinion polls, but Stevens seems to have a clearcut edge at this point.

(Jeanne Shaheen), New Hampshire, who is retiring–with Congressman Chris Pappas the only viable candidate for the Democrats–facing a likely challenge from former Republican Senator John Sununu.

Finally, the one most crucial race is Jon Ossoff of Georgia, who has the toughest race of all, to keep his seat. The youngest member of the Senate, he has been outstanding, but Georgia will be a tough state to win reelection in 2026, as it tends to be Republican oriented, except for the miracle that both Georgia Senators elected in 2021 are Democrats—Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock.

Joe Biden Gives Great Speech At Convention, Passing The Torch To Kamala Harris!

President Joe Biden displayed his true greatness last night, having devoted a half century to public service, and knowing it was time to pass the torch to a future generation of leadership in Vice President Kamala Harris!

This was one of Biden’s greatest speeches, and showed his compassion and empathy for Americans who need a champion to help their advancement in America.

Biden made clear the battle for American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, that lies ahead.

He was surrounded by his family, and Harris and Doug Emhoff, as he informed the nation that he still would work hard in his final 5 months in office, before he handed over power, hopefully, to Harris.

The convention crowd erupted in an amazing display of love and affection for the 46th President, who will go down as one of the most significant Presidents in American history!

The whole first night of the convention was magnificent, including the speeches of Hillary Clinton, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, and New York Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, among others, as well as the surprise appearance of Kamala Harris, leading chants thanking Joe Biden for his half century of service to the nation!

Raphael Warnock Wins Full Term In The Senate, Another Repudiation Of Donald Trump!

Senator Raphael Warnock won a full term in the US Senate tonight, overcoming the challenge of former football player and Republican nominee Herschel Walker, and repudiating Donald Trump once again!

With a 51-49 Democratic US Senate in the 118th Congress, the committees will have a Democratic edge in membership, and this will make legislation and other actions much easier to accomplish, than the 50-50 Senate that was in play in the present 117th Congress.

So this victory added to the very successful Midterm Elections of 2022 for the Democratic Party!

New Membership Of Upcoming 118th Congress (2023-2025)

The upcoming 118th Congress (2023-2025) will have 84 new members, 77 new Congressmen and women, and seven US Senators.

The number of US Senators since 1789 has finally reached over 2,000, with a total of 2,001, but when Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska resigns to become the President of the University of Florida, the number will rise to 2002!

The new US Senators replaced those who retired, and every Senator up for election won, except the Georgia Senate race is in a runoff between Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican opponent Herschel Walker, the former football star from decades ago, who has clearly suffered brain damage and makes no sense at all in what he says!

Hopefully, on December 6, Warnock will win a full term, which he richly deserves!

Projections On Midterm Elections Of 2022

Here we are, a day before the Midterm Elections of 2022, so it is time to project the results, with trepidation about what is likely to happen tomorrow.

The odds are heavily in favor of the Republicans winning the House of Representatives, since they only need to gain five seats, so sadly, my projection is that they will gain about 20 seats, giving them an edge of about 15 seats–so a balance of about 232-203.

The Senate will remain Democratic in my estimate, with the following results:

Retention of presently held Democratic seats:

Mark Kelly, Arizona
Raphael Warnock, Georgia
Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire

However, the loss of Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada!

Open Seats Gained by Democrats:

Tim Ryan, Ohio
John Fetterman, Pennsylvania
Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin

The end result would be 52 Democrats and Independents and 48 Republicans!

In the Governorships, Democrats gain seats:

Wes Moore, Maryland
Maura Healey, Massachusetts
Beto O’Rourke, Texas

So we would end up with 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans as Governors of their states.

So the elections will be a mixed bag, with both Democrats and Republicans able to claim vindication.

Sadly, however, Florida will remain strongly Republican both for the US Senate and the Governorship.

The Midterm Elections of 2022 will be seen as a “Red Ripple”, with less of a repudiation of Joe Biden than it was for earlier Presidents who saw much greater losses!

12 Days To Go, and A Nail Biting Election Coming Up!

This author and blogger cannot recall the tension and emotions that are being felt around the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2022 ever being quite as intense in past cycles.

It could be a poor memory, or seeing the past with rose colored glasses!

But literally, EVERY Senate race, EVERY House race, and EVERY Gubernatorial race is so significant for the future of American democracy, which is on the verge of being lost to the MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump!

With only about six vote margin in the House of Representatives, and an evenly split US Senate for only the 4th time in American history, and with Governors having tremendous power and influence on an issue such as abortion rights, every citizen needs to vote!

Last night’s debate in Pennsylvania leaves one worried about the performance of John Fetterman, as it could be the Senate election that decides Senate control in the 118th Congress. But also, the Georgia race of Raphael Warnock; the Ohio race of Tim Ryan; the Wisconsin race of Mandela Barnes; the North Carolina race of Cheri Beasley; the Florida race of Val Demings; the New Hampshire race of Maggie Hassan; the Nevada race of Catherine Cortez Masto; the Arizona race of Mark Kelly; and the Iowa race of Michael Franken, are all crucial.

And Governorship races, particularly in Michigan with Gretchen Whitmer; in Arizona with Katie Hobbs; in Florida with Charlie Crist; in Texas with Beto O’Rourke, are all significant for the future!