I read a CNN story by the excellent political reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere about Kamala Harris this morning, and wanted to ask The Warning community about it.
As to the question of Harris winning in 2028, I do not believe it is possible for a woman to become President. There are forces who vote who will prevent it: male and female conservatives and evangelicals who believe in a patriarchal society; misogynists who are increasing in numbers in men under 40; men and women who advocate for the “trad wife” movement of keeping women at home; and lastly old-fashioned sexists who cross cut through all male demographics and seem to be increasing, too. None will have a woman President and all will prevent it.
Sadly, I agree with you. Given the fierce undercurrents of racism and misogyny in this country, Kamala Harris does not stand a chance of winning the presidency in 2028. And even if she did not have to contend with racism, her campaign would end in defeat, as it would for any other qualified woman candidate. Also, Kamala will be sixty-four in 2028, and so the age card would be played against her.
It's excruciating and depressing for women to witness the defeat of a woman presidential candidate, and now we've gone through this hell twice.
It is not something I want to type out, but I study voting issues and trends, and seems to be a bridge too far based upon American society and what looks to be a very clear and unfortunate regression.
I think it is now a "bridge too far" thanks in part to the deteriorating US educational system, the deleterious effects of social media, the loss of an American national narrative, and the rise of religious zealotry. The road back is a long and winding one, I'm afraid.
But, hey, the Democratic Republic of the Congo elected its first woman prime minister in April 2024. We can't be too far behind . . . right?!
And which blue state is perennially in the bottom 10 for education, poverty, etc? New Mexico. I would love to see money pumped into NM. Although they have been kicked to the curb too many times, they are true believers in the Dems.
I agree with you! I grew up in NM. It is treated as a "missionary" state, by those from the East Coast. Too blended with the "minorities"; the Indigenous People, and the Latinos. That, by the way, is what I loved about New Mexico, and what I miss so dearly! New Mexico is unique from any other state in the union. However, that is also its curse: it celebrates its uniqueness. It is not "white" enough! New Mexico has always been a state rich in history, but poor economically. And you are right, New Mexico is mainly Democratic! However, like the Easterners, the Democrats seem to overlook New Mexico. I have asked Democratic Presidents, and VP Harris, to visit the Pueblos of New Mexico, and to visit "Navajo Nation". I don't believe that a recent POTUS has ever visited the reservations. The Indigenous People live in stark poverty that others could not believe. I was pleased when Biden had an Indigenous woman as Sec. of the Interior. But now I fear, that those sacred lands, of the Indigenous People will be ruined by a POTUS that wants to "drill, drill, drill".
I agree with your sentiments and obviously it’s a shame we can’t elect a woman. By the time 28 rolls around there will be countless issues to address and for the sake of breaking the glass ceiling and then losing another election, it isn’t that important. Cleaning up the mess that’s about to be made, will be.
The other thing that makes it challenging for a female nominated by the Democratic Party is how the Electoral College operates. Only two states apportion electors; the rest are winner take all. This is not reflective of a democratic society because it disenfranchises too many voters based upon geography. The further away from one person, one vote, the steeper the climb to democracy. These built in challenges seem to favor the conservative faction of society, making more hurdles for females.
I agree with you regarding your assessment for Harris. That said, I would love to see her pick up the mantle from/with Obama on community activism. She has the talent and visibility to really make an impact.
I think there has been a regression in this country. Here in Norrh Carolina, Mark Robinson was the most avowed and outspoken misogynist I have ever seen in my entire life. Yet he received millions of votes here and was elected Lieutenant Governor of a state with 12 million people. That is an indicator of a real and pronounced societal problem.
As a woman, I find it utterly appalling, and all of my friends voted for Harris, but obviously I do not have maga friends. Acquaintances and some family members yes, but not friends.
If I had to ascribe a primary reason for all three, they were Republicans who stuck with the party — even though, as I pointed out and as Mitt Romney recently said, the Republican Party has been replaced by the MAGA Party.
I have three female friends — all my age, early 60s — who told me that although they were pro-choice, they voted for Trump. It was not a good conversation with all three and I honestly do not have a good understanding as to why.
I think she lost because voters were concerned about crime, the border and inflation, and rather than articulate a program for addressing voters’ core concerns, the Democrats ran on DEI, transgender athletes and electric vehicles. The party has lost its way and will probably need to lose a couple more presidential elections in order to reinvent itself
No. This is false. The Democrats did _not_ run on those things! Stop spreading that lie. The Republicans rammed all of that on every social media site possible, along with the Russians and Musk.
No. Republicans just talked about Democrats talking about those things. Trump spent millions talking about transgender people, transgender people, everywhere scary transgender people. That and immigration was really all he could talk about since he had no actual solutions to address voters core economic, health, or security concerns.
Illegal border crossings are back down to 2020 levels and deaths from fentanyl overdoses have dropped drastically - lowest in years. This is all in spite of Trump killing the Langford security bill.
But: Immigration! Transgender people! He said it loud and often. Instead of addressing voters core concerns, Trump invented imaginary ones to drive them to the polls. He will do nothing at all for them. And when they realize that, we will welcome them to the real fight. Billionaires against ordinary Americans.
KH never mentioned Trans issue or DEI, The Reps spent over 200,000,000 in trans ads are yuo a low information, confused by misinformation voter or a troll lol?
For an equal number of reasons, I didn’t think a black man could win the presidency either. It just requires the right charisma, at exactly the right time. Never say never.
I respectfully disagree, John. I do understand the rationale, but I honestly believe the American public is most interested in what/who is going to impact their standards of living, full stop. Even with unprecedented unfavorability ratings, voters still chose Trump. If we can field a candidate that can make that case I don’t think it much matters anymore if the individual is black, brown, male or female.
Alsi, I encourage you to check out some stellar female politicians like Gov. Whitmer, former Gov. Raimondo, future VA Gov. Spanberger, Senators Klobuchar, Baldwin, Slotkin, and yes, even Warren.
We’ve got the political firepower and an incredibly motivated base that will blow the roof of voting records in 2028. And this time they won’t be handicapped by incumbency, President Biden (God bless the man, but too old), or being “the establishment”.
I’m just not seeing it, unfortunately. I feel as if the misogyny will just increase in the next four years, making it very difficult for a woman. We’ve failed because it was a simple matter of rejecting Trump and we could not do it.
I always thought the first woman president in the US would be a tough hawkish conservative woman - a la Margaret thatcher or Golda Meir. It’s an easier sell to not be rocking the boat in too many other ways. If a Dem woman is ever our nominee, she probably has to be from the south or the heartland and probably also be white, so as not to be taking on too much change at once. Nickie Haley is well positioned. Never say never!
I do not see it happening on the MAGA side of things. Haley came across as a subservient opportunist. She was running to keep Trump out of office and then when she got swatted away like a gnat, she endorsed him. We live in a sad era.
“Top aides and people close to Kamala Harris have divided over whether she should head home to run for California governor in 2026 — and it all comes down to whether they believe she could win the Democratic nomination for president in an expected competitive primary in 2028.”
I wouldn’t vote for Harris again! She had two opportunities and failed. Not to mention, republicans could use the last two campaigns against her; there is certainly enough material. Additionally, Harris made a lot of mistakes, but mostly came across as indecisive; which shows weakness. Furthermore, she made several amateur blunders, like refusing to separate herself from Biden, and refusing engage in serious attacks.
And quite frankly, just like Biden and Obama, she can’t articulate economic policy in layman’s terms. It should have been easy given Trump’s mostly idiotic tariffs; yet, she couldn’t break through, because she knows little about how the economy works, and is even worse at trying to articulate economic policy that she does understand, and it definitely shows.
We need more dynamic fighters, not more of the same homogeneous political rhetoric, and talk about justice and equality and civility. We are WAY past civility moving forward. The next election is a zero sum game, and I want new blood willing to fight to the death, and take names. IMHO!…:)
Robert: thanks for your thoughts. I concur, straight down the line. Thanks again!! Let’s all stop defending past missteps and blunders. Clear out the cataracts and look clearly at what is happening with “real people” in this country.
Will Dems figure out that they have to stop reaching back into their pantry and pulling past-expiry-date leaders and candidates off the shelves?? Lookin’ at you Schumer
Kamala did her best but had dreadful messaging all the other things (including race and gender) working against her.. She is not an inherently good communicator for general elections like the presidential. Let her find something else for her many talents.
We have a party loaded with young viable charismatic and smart people. We don’t have to “make a point” re: race or gender. We have to win elections.
I fear that without a real shake up…. No new thinking will shake the DNC from its inability to think creatively.
And Meryl, it is becoming more likely with every Trump nomination that his administration will pave the way for a progressive "charismatic and smart" Democratic candidate to win easily in 2028. I believe there will be a Democratic majority in the House and Senate following the mid-term elections. Even the least informed and most gullible will become aware of the catastrophic consequences bound to come out of Trump's tenure. The latest in his disastrous slate of nominees to consequential government posts is a terrible harbinger of ill health for our nation:
"The world’s most respected infectious-disease agency needed a new leader. Anti-vaccine activists knew just the man: Dave Weldon, a Florida physician and former seven-term Republican congressman who had for years expressed concerns about the safety of vaccines.
Weldon didn’t get the job then, but, seven years later, President-elect Donald Trump has tapped the 71-year-old former Army doctor to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is charged with protecting the United States from health threats at home and abroad. That includes making vaccine recommendations — work that has come under fire from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the longtime vaccine skeptic whom Trump has picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which has oversight over the CDC.
Kennedy proposed Weldon for the job, according to a person involved in the process who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share a private conversation.
I do not think Harris should run for president again. The voting public is screaming for a strong new leader which is why so many either didn’t vote or voted for Trump. She ran twice and failed twice. That’s the reality.
As for Emanuel, he is all you suggest here. As for a presidential candidate I squirm primarily because he’s Jewish. It’s not clear where that sits in two years, but, as a Jew myself, I prefer a candidate without that baggage. I wish I didn’t feel that way. It originates from my deepest concerns culminating in 5000 years of antisemitism. This country is in for a terrible time. The next president has to be a leader at the level of a Roosevelt or a Churchill.
Emmanuel is disqualified because he covered up the police murder of a teenager to ensure his reelection as mayor of Chicago. Good luck in getting African Americans to vote for him.
While as a Jew myself and knowing that we are ranked near the top among all faiths as the wealthiest and best educated, with scientific and medical accomplishments disproportionate to the small percentage of us who live here, there still remains much anti-Semitism in our country. We survived the Holocaust but I experienced in August, 2017, torch carrying unmasked klansmen, chanting “Jews will not replace us” and threatening our synagogue. There will never be a Jewish President though we are represented in governorships, in the House and Senate and the Judiciary. I am immensely proud to be a Jew, today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.
No argument from me. I’m not religious, but Jewish. My husband, who is Christian has been my greatest supporter in our 52 years together. I will say that when my last name changed to Russell, and I was doing much national travel for my career, I learned a great deal as to how embedded antisemitism is in this country.
Same here. The comments at business lunches among otherwise wonderful and liberal minded people. People do not even realize they are making anti semitic slurs…it is not at all overt hate, but a casual use of ugly stereotypes cloaked in polite language
That deep undercurrent makes people stop and think about a Jewish candidate. That said!! There are the governors of PA and NC and CO…..they made it thru the relation barrier
I'm speaking of hatred, pure and simple. Took a Native American from OK to dinner in OK City with her anti Yankee husband. She couldn't stop saying horrific things about people I doubt she'd ever met. Had a salesperson in Seattle who worked for me use the 'kike' which I had never actually heard used before. Just two examples. It's wrenching and one needs to think very carefully how to respond so you end up a class act...not in any way fitting into their tropes. If you experienced Charlottesville you know.....beginning with our president to be. While his daughter converted to Orthodox Judaism, somehow I don't see Trump actually believing it as he has no problem making nasty statements. Even with some of his Jewish billionaire donors....I will never figure that one out.
There are more than a few young smart viable charismatic governors out there. I discard Newsom. Fine here in CA but a total disaster between the mid-Atlantic and big city California/Seattle. Too slick, too effete, cannot ever relate to a presidential electorate in a meaningful way. Never did sleeves up community organizing like Obama. Can’t put him in overalls and a flannel shirt and think that will “work.” Great governor though… a Titanic as a presidential candidate
I agree Rahm has the experience, toughness and smarts to lead us out of the abyss. He also possesses the arrogance of his success, some unappealing history and a prickly personality that negates his capacity to run as the candidate for President. Soooo… let’s have Rahm lead the strategy and have others “fire the balls”.
Rahm doesn’t have the charisma, gravitas nor likeability to rally supporters to a Democratic Presidential nomination. Far less to convince Voters that he’s trustworthy and capable of working for the ordinary American. Joe had it, Barack had it…Kamala only had a bit of it.. The next candidate must have it.
I agree she had many positives. However, even so, She could not do it this time. Sadly, America is not willing to elect a woman. Nor will the voters next time.
The whole covering up the police murder of a Black child kills any chance he might have. Plus, Rahm famously bragged about screwing over the Chicago teachers' union.
As awful as it is, I don’t think a female can yet win the Presidency. The Ds have run a phenomenally talented, articulate and smart female Democrat for President (both of whom I voted for) and lost twice to a bigoted misogynist. The writing is on the wall - for now. Question must be, who can win back the Blue Wall states and reclaim the swing states convincingly? I actually believed Harris could do it. She was brilliant on the campaign trail. It seems quite obvious it must be a male who can speak plainly and inspirationally to a wide swath of voters and potential voters - maybe that’s Shapiro, or Emanuel, or another of the deep bench of Ds that now have a clear field ahead. Sadly I don’t think it’s Harris (or any candidate from the “liberal bastions” of CA or NY). As a California resident, however, I would be utterly thrilled with Harris as our governor, using that office as a showcase for her talents while doing good for our state, and perhaps to prepare for another run in the future. I just hope the Democrats can come together, identify clarity of leadership and message, and elevate candidates that are electable, ready for the challenge and can bring some sanity back to our public discourse.
I don’t think so. Comey’s move was one nail in the coffin I think - but just one. Then again, the Access Hollywood tape (among other moments) should have been the end of all of this before it started. And all that’s happened since then has just emboldened misogyny, xenophobia, racism, etc. as a means to get votes, grab power (again) and work to create a plutocracy. It’s seemingly happening now before our eyes.
First of all, I am tired of white men almost always being the answer for leadership in this country. Rahm Emmanuel would make a great Sec’y of State, but not a president. Kamala came close to defeating Trump. She was given an extremely tough situation and I think she did the best that could be expected. If Pakistan can elect a woman, the US damn sure can too.
We need to win elections FVera .. not the time to make virtuous points. JD Vance is primed up to take the baton in ‘28 and there will be billions behind him. (The SV tech oligarchs) He is noxious but with no criminal taint. And infinitely smarter than any Trump.
Steve, I think at this point, the pendulum has swung so far to the right that a woman has no chance of being president. Given what you said about Rahm Emanual, I could see him running for president. The Dems will need to have a young white man to run as president, sad to say.I think the reason Harris lost was because she is a black woman and the misogyny and racism are at an all time high.
That part, the intersection, which we continue to pretend was not “a thing” in the election. Many of the reasons people are giving for Harris not to run or her loss cloaks what Ilene clearly articulated. I’ll add America wants a white dude to save it, to create the hero’s narrative we’re most enamored by and obsessed with. There is no 1 person who can save “for the people by the people” America. Additionally, there were many men beyond the “educated and elite”…my son, father and brothers among them, who in fact did vote for her. We were okay with her in a supporting role, just not the leading one. The fact that “Christians” preferred a philandering multiple divorced, “grab em”, sexual predator, etc, etc, candidate tells me that many were more comfortable gambling our democracy at the expense of our collective well-being rather than taking a chance on a highly qualified individual who had dedicated her whole life to public service. Additionally, she debated Trump better than the majority who have done so previously. Even Trump knew it. We continue to have a race gender problem in our country. That being said, I want whoever will win to run because so much is at stake.
White Christians voted for Trump because they were enthralled by his white supremacist rhetoric. It's a cult. Trump said it, he kill someone in the middle of the street and they wouldn't care. Look at how there is zero concern for the documented sexual misconduct of many of his cabinet nominees.
And, yes, Democrats have to run a straight, white male presidential candidate in 2028. Preferably one who does not have the stench of covering up or going along with racist misconduct like Rahm or Pete or Amy.
I would disagree, we don’t know exactly how bad trump fucks everything up, so the populace might change drastically and it will be another different type of Change Election. We don’t know.
You men have no idea!! I was a chemical engineer and the first women engineer at Raytheon in Andover MA. The hostile work environment had me change careers and in 1980 I was making 53% of what a male engineer was making. However at that time the people running our government we not abusing and rapping women. Most of trumps cabinet picks are rapist and abuse women. Vance believes that women that are the victim of domestic violence should stay in those abusive situations.
The Democrat Governor of Colorado is openly gay! If Traitor Trump is true to form as in his first term, the USA will be ready for competence once again in the White House!!! Forget the MAGAt vote as they are so fricking stupid they vote for idiots who will screw them every chance they get!!!
The Democratic governor of Colorado did not turn a blind eye to racist police misconduct as Pete did as Mayor of South Bend.
The Democratic Party is a coalition whose most loyal component is millions of Black Americans. Surely, the Democrats could find someone without the stench of helping to coverup racist police misconduct?
Nope. Pete has too much baggage. There is zero chance that Black voters will find any enthusiasm because of his infamous actions to go along with police misconduct as mayor.
Kamala Harris had her shot at the presidency. IMO, she should not run again. She would make a great governor of California.
I know the Democrats will have a lot of ammunition in the next presidential campaign, if democracy survives the Maga/Qanon/Christian Nationalist attack on the United States of America. Since I favor social democracy and nationalization of the health care system, child tax credits, subsidization of child daycare, a truly progressive tax policy with NO LOOPHOLES, and very limited deductions, as well as a foreign policy that supports our traditional allies, I would love to have Democratic primary debates that include several members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
The Trump administration will sound the death knell for "supply-side economics," tax policies favoring the ultra wealthy, and support for foreign dictators. The level of corruption will cause a powerful movement for reform, including term limits for SCOTUS justices. It will usher in the opportunity to form a government that actually works for the people and not the Elon Musks and Donald Trumps of the nation.
No one who doesn’t get how Trump happened to us is worthy of running for president or any leadership position. Neither of them understand. And I’m still waiting for you to take leadership on this point. I get why people continually miss this. I’m a teacher. I understand how hard this is to learn.
Democracy works when a nation is balanced. We lost our balance when lawless thugs hijacked our public schools many decades ago and silenced the voices of called to teach teachers, turning our unions into these power mongers’ sycophants just as Trump has turned our government into his.
I’m one who has tried to expose what they’ve done to our schools since 1995 to no avail. I’ve had websites - WhiteChalkCrime.com and EndTeacherAbuse.org and books on this but the predators did such a good job of pretending education is not reformable by purging the dedicated teachers, people gave up on it. Our schools used to balance us in so many ways. They taught us to think critically. Now we’re at the mercy of celebrity influencers.
We are a bell curve of souls ranging from selfless to selfish. With so many in the middle possessing both, it takes little for the selfish to lead. Without great teachers helping us learn why the law - the essence of democracy - makes sense, it doesn’t make sense to enough people anymore.
Once we began disrespecting truth and the principles of democracy we lost our way as a society and it’s become who can grab more rather than how can we stop the urge to grab.
We were blessed with great teachers so this wouldn’t happen. When administrators trashed them, they trashed this society and until someone like you figures this out, investigates and repopulates the great teachers, this is as good as it gets.
Furthermore, if someone exposed these truths we could easily retake the schools by having good people run for school boards. This won’t happen if people continue to believe schools are not reformable. They’re intentionally made dysfunctional by puppet boards that often are clueless that they’re puppets! Our best and perhaps only path for saving democracy won’t happen as long as the great teachers have no voice.
Give us a voice and we can make a difference. Listen to five of us at WhiteChalkCrime.com
Thank you for appreciating it. If not for the school shootings I would have given up long ago. We have them for the same reason we have Trump. If only more people were like you! I’m doing my best to find them. I appreciate any help I get. If only Steve would take this on. He’s such a fierce warrior for democracy. He’s so admirable but he doesn’t know this. No one does. That’s why I can’t give up.
Rahm is trash. Seriously, he covered up the murder of an African American teenager to win his reelection. Unions hate Emmanuel for his actions in the Obama admin and in his mayoralty in Chicago.
Rahm Emmanuel will forever be associated with no punishments for the banking industry after 2008. He's also another Dem forever chasing moderate Republican votes and hating on progressives/the left. So sure, laud him, praise him, worship him - but don't count on him becoming a Democratic savior.
Rahm is of the Bill Clinton neo liberal wing & should NOT be invited to be a leader. He's one of the reasons why we are living this catastrophe. Rahm would just want to 'work with' and capitulate to the enemy. And he was a failure as a mayor, remember? Besides, a Rahm DNC is in same mold as idiot Dem Senators electing Dick Durbin & Schumer....same old tired thinking, unable to deal with the ruthless transnational crime syndicate that's captured America. He's a big mouth and that's about it. Winkler for DNC Chair....youth, energy and on the ground experience, vision.
The Ezra Klein interview was worth listening to, but I didn't hear the one with Bret Stevens. Emanuel has always been a tough SOB who deserves much higher office. He could be the Jewish Kennedy (JFK, the first Catholic president) of the 21st Century. He plays hardball and the gloves are off; someone like Rahm can rise above the cacophony.
As a lifelong Chicagoan let me say loud and clear that Rahm Emanuel should have given up the charade years ago and just joined the GOP. He made his bones as a fundraiser for Bill Clinton. Schooled in triangulation by the man who signed NAFTA and accelerated the middle class destruction started by Reagan he was given the job as my congressman when Rod Blagojevich stepped down to run for Governor. He took over as chair of the DCCC and bragged about winning a dem majority. Unfortunately, since he refused to support progressives and instead worked to elect DINOs the dems accomplished nothing. Then, when my hopes were sky high for an Obama presidency, he named Rahm as Chief of Staff and the rest is history. Nothing accomplished except a health care plan written by the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists. When he finally wore out his welcome in DC he was once again given a job he didn’t earn, mayor of Chicago. I don’t have enough space to get into the disaster that became but I, for one, hoped to never hear his name associated with the Democratic Party again unless there’s an opening for ambassador to Siberia.
As to the question of Harris winning in 2028, I do not believe it is possible for a woman to become President. There are forces who vote who will prevent it: male and female conservatives and evangelicals who believe in a patriarchal society; misogynists who are increasing in numbers in men under 40; men and women who advocate for the “trad wife” movement of keeping women at home; and lastly old-fashioned sexists who cross cut through all male demographics and seem to be increasing, too. None will have a woman President and all will prevent it.
Sadly, I agree with you. Given the fierce undercurrents of racism and misogyny in this country, Kamala Harris does not stand a chance of winning the presidency in 2028. And even if she did not have to contend with racism, her campaign would end in defeat, as it would for any other qualified woman candidate. Also, Kamala will be sixty-four in 2028, and so the age card would be played against her.
It's excruciating and depressing for women to witness the defeat of a woman presidential candidate, and now we've gone through this hell twice.
It is not something I want to type out, but I study voting issues and trends, and seems to be a bridge too far based upon American society and what looks to be a very clear and unfortunate regression.
I think it is now a "bridge too far" thanks in part to the deteriorating US educational system, the deleterious effects of social media, the loss of an American national narrative, and the rise of religious zealotry. The road back is a long and winding one, I'm afraid.
But, hey, the Democratic Republic of the Congo elected its first woman prime minister in April 2024. We can't be too far behind . . . right?!
I am not a fan of the red versus blue thing, but taken objectively, the states with the worst educational systems are predominately red states.
And which blue state is perennially in the bottom 10 for education, poverty, etc? New Mexico. I would love to see money pumped into NM. Although they have been kicked to the curb too many times, they are true believers in the Dems.
I agree with you! I grew up in NM. It is treated as a "missionary" state, by those from the East Coast. Too blended with the "minorities"; the Indigenous People, and the Latinos. That, by the way, is what I loved about New Mexico, and what I miss so dearly! New Mexico is unique from any other state in the union. However, that is also its curse: it celebrates its uniqueness. It is not "white" enough! New Mexico has always been a state rich in history, but poor economically. And you are right, New Mexico is mainly Democratic! However, like the Easterners, the Democrats seem to overlook New Mexico. I have asked Democratic Presidents, and VP Harris, to visit the Pueblos of New Mexico, and to visit "Navajo Nation". I don't believe that a recent POTUS has ever visited the reservations. The Indigenous People live in stark poverty that others could not believe. I was pleased when Biden had an Indigenous woman as Sec. of the Interior. But now I fear, that those sacred lands, of the Indigenous People will be ruined by a POTUS that wants to "drill, drill, drill".
I agree with your sentiments and obviously it’s a shame we can’t elect a woman. By the time 28 rolls around there will be countless issues to address and for the sake of breaking the glass ceiling and then losing another election, it isn’t that important. Cleaning up the mess that’s about to be made, will be.
The other thing that makes it challenging for a female nominated by the Democratic Party is how the Electoral College operates. Only two states apportion electors; the rest are winner take all. This is not reflective of a democratic society because it disenfranchises too many voters based upon geography. The further away from one person, one vote, the steeper the climb to democracy. These built in challenges seem to favor the conservative faction of society, making more hurdles for females.
Kamala also has the lib millstone hanging from her Californian neck. Run for governor, KH.
I agree with you regarding your assessment for Harris. That said, I would love to see her pick up the mantle from/with Obama on community activism. She has the talent and visibility to really make an impact.
I think there has been a regression in this country. Here in Norrh Carolina, Mark Robinson was the most avowed and outspoken misogynist I have ever seen in my entire life. Yet he received millions of votes here and was elected Lieutenant Governor of a state with 12 million people. That is an indicator of a real and pronounced societal problem.
Toxic masculinity seems to be having a moment
As a woman, I find it utterly appalling, and all of my friends voted for Harris, but obviously I do not have maga friends. Acquaintances and some family members yes, but not friends.
If I had to ascribe a primary reason for all three, they were Republicans who stuck with the party — even though, as I pointed out and as Mitt Romney recently said, the Republican Party has been replaced by the MAGA Party.
I have three female friends — all my age, early 60s — who told me that although they were pro-choice, they voted for Trump. It was not a good conversation with all three and I honestly do not have a good understanding as to why.
I think she lost because voters were concerned about crime, the border and inflation, and rather than articulate a program for addressing voters’ core concerns, the Democrats ran on DEI, transgender athletes and electric vehicles. The party has lost its way and will probably need to lose a couple more presidential elections in order to reinvent itself
No. This is false. The Democrats did _not_ run on those things! Stop spreading that lie. The Republicans rammed all of that on every social media site possible, along with the Russians and Musk.
But we didn’t do such a good job on immigration and that proved problematic
No. Republicans just talked about Democrats talking about those things. Trump spent millions talking about transgender people, transgender people, everywhere scary transgender people. That and immigration was really all he could talk about since he had no actual solutions to address voters core economic, health, or security concerns.
Illegal border crossings are back down to 2020 levels and deaths from fentanyl overdoses have dropped drastically - lowest in years. This is all in spite of Trump killing the Langford security bill.
But: Immigration! Transgender people! He said it loud and often. Instead of addressing voters core concerns, Trump invented imaginary ones to drive them to the polls. He will do nothing at all for them. And when they realize that, we will welcome them to the real fight. Billionaires against ordinary Americans.
KH never mentioned Trans issue or DEI, The Reps spent over 200,000,000 in trans ads are yuo a low information, confused by misinformation voter or a troll lol?
For an equal number of reasons, I didn’t think a black man could win the presidency either. It just requires the right charisma, at exactly the right time. Never say never.
I respectfully disagree, John. I do understand the rationale, but I honestly believe the American public is most interested in what/who is going to impact their standards of living, full stop. Even with unprecedented unfavorability ratings, voters still chose Trump. If we can field a candidate that can make that case I don’t think it much matters anymore if the individual is black, brown, male or female.
Alsi, I encourage you to check out some stellar female politicians like Gov. Whitmer, former Gov. Raimondo, future VA Gov. Spanberger, Senators Klobuchar, Baldwin, Slotkin, and yes, even Warren.
We’ve got the political firepower and an incredibly motivated base that will blow the roof of voting records in 2028. And this time they won’t be handicapped by incumbency, President Biden (God bless the man, but too old), or being “the establishment”.
Respectfully disagree: no more “on repeat” low charisma women. (Klobuchar) And nobody wants to be hectored by Elizabeth Warren.
What about Gretchen Whitmer?
I’m just not seeing it, unfortunately. I feel as if the misogyny will just increase in the next four years, making it very difficult for a woman. We’ve failed because it was a simple matter of rejecting Trump and we could not do it.
That is fair. As James Carville once said about a political prediction he did not agree with: I would rather be wrong. Same for me.
I always thought the first woman president in the US would be a tough hawkish conservative woman - a la Margaret thatcher or Golda Meir. It’s an easier sell to not be rocking the boat in too many other ways. If a Dem woman is ever our nominee, she probably has to be from the south or the heartland and probably also be white, so as not to be taking on too much change at once. Nickie Haley is well positioned. Never say never!
I do not see it happening on the MAGA side of things. Haley came across as a subservient opportunist. She was running to keep Trump out of office and then when she got swatted away like a gnat, she endorsed him. We live in a sad era.
I tend to agree, John.
“Top aides and people close to Kamala Harris have divided over whether she should head home to run for California governor in 2026 — and it all comes down to whether they believe she could win the Democratic nomination for president in an expected competitive primary in 2028.”
I wouldn’t vote for Harris again! She had two opportunities and failed. Not to mention, republicans could use the last two campaigns against her; there is certainly enough material. Additionally, Harris made a lot of mistakes, but mostly came across as indecisive; which shows weakness. Furthermore, she made several amateur blunders, like refusing to separate herself from Biden, and refusing engage in serious attacks.
And quite frankly, just like Biden and Obama, she can’t articulate economic policy in layman’s terms. It should have been easy given Trump’s mostly idiotic tariffs; yet, she couldn’t break through, because she knows little about how the economy works, and is even worse at trying to articulate economic policy that she does understand, and it definitely shows.
We need more dynamic fighters, not more of the same homogeneous political rhetoric, and talk about justice and equality and civility. We are WAY past civility moving forward. The next election is a zero sum game, and I want new blood willing to fight to the death, and take names. IMHO!…:)
Robert: thanks for your thoughts. I concur, straight down the line. Thanks again!! Let’s all stop defending past missteps and blunders. Clear out the cataracts and look clearly at what is happening with “real people” in this country.
Will Dems figure out that they have to stop reaching back into their pantry and pulling past-expiry-date leaders and candidates off the shelves?? Lookin’ at you Schumer
Kamala did her best but had dreadful messaging all the other things (including race and gender) working against her.. She is not an inherently good communicator for general elections like the presidential. Let her find something else for her many talents.
We have a party loaded with young viable charismatic and smart people. We don’t have to “make a point” re: race or gender. We have to win elections.
I fear that without a real shake up…. No new thinking will shake the DNC from its inability to think creatively.
Very well said, and I agree with you 100%; wholeheartedly!…And thank you…:)
And Meryl, it is becoming more likely with every Trump nomination that his administration will pave the way for a progressive "charismatic and smart" Democratic candidate to win easily in 2028. I believe there will be a Democratic majority in the House and Senate following the mid-term elections. Even the least informed and most gullible will become aware of the catastrophic consequences bound to come out of Trump's tenure. The latest in his disastrous slate of nominees to consequential government posts is a terrible harbinger of ill health for our nation:
"The world’s most respected infectious-disease agency needed a new leader. Anti-vaccine activists knew just the man: Dave Weldon, a Florida physician and former seven-term Republican congressman who had for years expressed concerns about the safety of vaccines.
Weldon didn’t get the job then, but, seven years later, President-elect Donald Trump has tapped the 71-year-old former Army doctor to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is charged with protecting the United States from health threats at home and abroad. That includes making vaccine recommendations — work that has come under fire from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the longtime vaccine skeptic whom Trump has picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which has oversight over the CDC.
Kennedy proposed Weldon for the job, according to a person involved in the process who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share a private conversation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/12/15/dave-weldon-trump-cdc-vaccine-skepticism/?utm_campaign=wp_evening_edition&utm_mediu
At Robert, Meryl and Anthony: y’all droppin truth bombs 🤜🤛🫶
Spot on Meryl!
I do not think Harris should run for president again. The voting public is screaming for a strong new leader which is why so many either didn’t vote or voted for Trump. She ran twice and failed twice. That’s the reality.
As for Emanuel, he is all you suggest here. As for a presidential candidate I squirm primarily because he’s Jewish. It’s not clear where that sits in two years, but, as a Jew myself, I prefer a candidate without that baggage. I wish I didn’t feel that way. It originates from my deepest concerns culminating in 5000 years of antisemitism. This country is in for a terrible time. The next president has to be a leader at the level of a Roosevelt or a Churchill.
I think Jamie Raskin seems like a smart, logical and strong leader.
I think Sheldon Whitehouse would be stronger and cagier than Raskin.
He's my boyfriend and the best lol. Calm character doggedly persistent with good judgement.
He has zero charisma.
And Jewish too!, Raskin. 🔯💜
Emmanuel is disqualified because he covered up the police murder of a teenager to ensure his reelection as mayor of Chicago. Good luck in getting African Americans to vote for him.
While as a Jew myself and knowing that we are ranked near the top among all faiths as the wealthiest and best educated, with scientific and medical accomplishments disproportionate to the small percentage of us who live here, there still remains much anti-Semitism in our country. We survived the Holocaust but I experienced in August, 2017, torch carrying unmasked klansmen, chanting “Jews will not replace us” and threatening our synagogue. There will never be a Jewish President though we are represented in governorships, in the House and Senate and the Judiciary. I am immensely proud to be a Jew, today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.
No argument from me. I’m not religious, but Jewish. My husband, who is Christian has been my greatest supporter in our 52 years together. I will say that when my last name changed to Russell, and I was doing much national travel for my career, I learned a great deal as to how embedded antisemitism is in this country.
Same here. The comments at business lunches among otherwise wonderful and liberal minded people. People do not even realize they are making anti semitic slurs…it is not at all overt hate, but a casual use of ugly stereotypes cloaked in polite language
That deep undercurrent makes people stop and think about a Jewish candidate. That said!! There are the governors of PA and NC and CO…..they made it thru the relation barrier
Keep eyes and ears open. It's too soon right now. Watch the hearings. There are several governors who may emerge.
I'm speaking of hatred, pure and simple. Took a Native American from OK to dinner in OK City with her anti Yankee husband. She couldn't stop saying horrific things about people I doubt she'd ever met. Had a salesperson in Seattle who worked for me use the 'kike' which I had never actually heard used before. Just two examples. It's wrenching and one needs to think very carefully how to respond so you end up a class act...not in any way fitting into their tropes. If you experienced Charlottesville you know.....beginning with our president to be. While his daughter converted to Orthodox Judaism, somehow I don't see Trump actually believing it as he has no problem making nasty statements. Even with some of his Jewish billionaire donors....I will never figure that one out.
He is. Same issue, however. We aren't talking about qualifications.
Who would you recommend?
There are more than a few young smart viable charismatic governors out there. I discard Newsom. Fine here in CA but a total disaster between the mid-Atlantic and big city California/Seattle. Too slick, too effete, cannot ever relate to a presidential electorate in a meaningful way. Never did sleeves up community organizing like Obama. Can’t put him in overalls and a flannel shirt and think that will “work.” Great governor though… a Titanic as a presidential candidate
I agree Rahm has the experience, toughness and smarts to lead us out of the abyss. He also possesses the arrogance of his success, some unappealing history and a prickly personality that negates his capacity to run as the candidate for President. Soooo… let’s have Rahm lead the strategy and have others “fire the balls”.
You can’t say arrogance is a disqualifying characteristic. Look what was just re-elected!
Rahm doesn’t have the charisma, gravitas nor likeability to rally supporters to a Democratic Presidential nomination. Far less to convince Voters that he’s trustworthy and capable of working for the ordinary American. Joe had it, Barack had it…Kamala only had a bit of it.. The next candidate must have it.
And Bernie had it too.
If Kamala.does something to save democracy she will have won the leader test.
Watching her with people and her willingness to have others at the table, she could break into other Republican areas. But,
Better we split Civilly or not into 2 different countries, we will get things done without compromising important values.
I agree she had many positives. However, even so, She could not do it this time. Sadly, America is not willing to elect a woman. Nor will the voters next time.
She is done.
The whole covering up the police murder of a Black child kills any chance he might have. Plus, Rahm famously bragged about screwing over the Chicago teachers' union.
lets not forget he's a proponent of neoliberalism policies
https://news.wttw.com/2021/11/18/no-evidence-rahm-emanuel-covered-police-murder-laquan-mcdonald-former-watchdog
All true
As awful as it is, I don’t think a female can yet win the Presidency. The Ds have run a phenomenally talented, articulate and smart female Democrat for President (both of whom I voted for) and lost twice to a bigoted misogynist. The writing is on the wall - for now. Question must be, who can win back the Blue Wall states and reclaim the swing states convincingly? I actually believed Harris could do it. She was brilliant on the campaign trail. It seems quite obvious it must be a male who can speak plainly and inspirationally to a wide swath of voters and potential voters - maybe that’s Shapiro, or Emanuel, or another of the deep bench of Ds that now have a clear field ahead. Sadly I don’t think it’s Harris (or any candidate from the “liberal bastions” of CA or NY). As a California resident, however, I would be utterly thrilled with Harris as our governor, using that office as a showcase for her talents while doing good for our state, and perhaps to prepare for another run in the future. I just hope the Democrats can come together, identify clarity of leadership and message, and elevate candidates that are electable, ready for the challenge and can bring some sanity back to our public discourse.
Could Hillary Clinton have won after the Comey tear down?
Have my doubts? And your thoughts!
I don’t think so. Comey’s move was one nail in the coffin I think - but just one. Then again, the Access Hollywood tape (among other moments) should have been the end of all of this before it started. And all that’s happened since then has just emboldened misogyny, xenophobia, racism, etc. as a means to get votes, grab power (again) and work to create a plutocracy. It’s seemingly happening now before our eyes.
First of all, I am tired of white men almost always being the answer for leadership in this country. Rahm Emmanuel would make a great Sec’y of State, but not a president. Kamala came close to defeating Trump. She was given an extremely tough situation and I think she did the best that could be expected. If Pakistan can elect a woman, the US damn sure can too.
No, we can’t. Mexico, Pakistan, Germany, UK and many other countries have had female leaders. We are decades behind.
We need to win elections FVera .. not the time to make virtuous points. JD Vance is primed up to take the baton in ‘28 and there will be billions behind him. (The SV tech oligarchs) He is noxious but with no criminal taint. And infinitely smarter than any Trump.
Of course the US can. They simply won’t.
Steve, I think at this point, the pendulum has swung so far to the right that a woman has no chance of being president. Given what you said about Rahm Emanual, I could see him running for president. The Dems will need to have a young white man to run as president, sad to say.I think the reason Harris lost was because she is a black woman and the misogyny and racism are at an all time high.
That part, the intersection, which we continue to pretend was not “a thing” in the election. Many of the reasons people are giving for Harris not to run or her loss cloaks what Ilene clearly articulated. I’ll add America wants a white dude to save it, to create the hero’s narrative we’re most enamored by and obsessed with. There is no 1 person who can save “for the people by the people” America. Additionally, there were many men beyond the “educated and elite”…my son, father and brothers among them, who in fact did vote for her. We were okay with her in a supporting role, just not the leading one. The fact that “Christians” preferred a philandering multiple divorced, “grab em”, sexual predator, etc, etc, candidate tells me that many were more comfortable gambling our democracy at the expense of our collective well-being rather than taking a chance on a highly qualified individual who had dedicated her whole life to public service. Additionally, she debated Trump better than the majority who have done so previously. Even Trump knew it. We continue to have a race gender problem in our country. That being said, I want whoever will win to run because so much is at stake.
White Christians voted for Trump because they were enthralled by his white supremacist rhetoric. It's a cult. Trump said it, he kill someone in the middle of the street and they wouldn't care. Look at how there is zero concern for the documented sexual misconduct of many of his cabinet nominees.
And, yes, Democrats have to run a straight, white male presidential candidate in 2028. Preferably one who does not have the stench of covering up or going along with racist misconduct like Rahm or Pete or Amy.
I would disagree, we don’t know exactly how bad trump fucks everything up, so the populace might change drastically and it will be another different type of Change Election. We don’t know.
We are about to experience how bad it will be
Right On, Sherri! Thanks.
Too brash and hard! I adore Rahm…. but he is an acquired taste
Trump? Behind the scenes, doj,
Seriously, an “all-time high!?” I think not.
"misogyny and racism"
Probably not the worst it's ever been but pretty eff'n high. In this day and age it's completely out of whack.
I am 72 years old and a pioneer in the women’s movement. Trust me this is the the most Misogyny I have ever experienced
You men have no idea!! I was a chemical engineer and the first women engineer at Raytheon in Andover MA. The hostile work environment had me change careers and in 1980 I was making 53% of what a male engineer was making. However at that time the people running our government we not abusing and rapping women. Most of trumps cabinet picks are rapist and abuse women. Vance believes that women that are the victim of domestic violence should stay in those abusive situations.
I believe that the best candidate for the Democrats in 2028 is Secretary Pete. He is brilliant and has gone on FAUX Propaganda and held his own!
But as others here have noted, we can’t even elect a *woman* president. You think we could elect an openly gay man?
I love Secretary Pete, and I would vote for him. But I don't think he could overcome the fear/hate of an LGBTQ candidate.
There's also Pete's pathetic history of going along with racist police misconduct when he was mayor of South Bend, IN. https://www.thedailybeast.com/pete-buttigieg-has-a-black-problem-top-african-american-leaders-say-he-is-naive-on-race/
The Democrat Governor of Colorado is openly gay! If Traitor Trump is true to form as in his first term, the USA will be ready for competence once again in the White House!!! Forget the MAGAt vote as they are so fricking stupid they vote for idiots who will screw them every chance they get!!!
The Democratic governor of Colorado did not turn a blind eye to racist police misconduct as Pete did as Mayor of South Bend.
The Democratic Party is a coalition whose most loyal component is millions of Black Americans. Surely, the Democrats could find someone without the stench of helping to coverup racist police misconduct?
https://www.thedailybeast.com/pete-buttigieg-has-a-black-problem-top-african-american-leaders-say-he-is-naive-on-race/
Nope. Pete has too much baggage. There is zero chance that Black voters will find any enthusiasm because of his infamous actions to go along with police misconduct as mayor.
https://www.vox.com/2019/6/27/18759807/pete-buttigieg-town-hall-protesters-police-shooting-2020
YES: PETE BUTTIGIEG 2028!!!!!, Will American misogynists also be homophobic?
Kamala Harris had her shot at the presidency. IMO, she should not run again. She would make a great governor of California.
I know the Democrats will have a lot of ammunition in the next presidential campaign, if democracy survives the Maga/Qanon/Christian Nationalist attack on the United States of America. Since I favor social democracy and nationalization of the health care system, child tax credits, subsidization of child daycare, a truly progressive tax policy with NO LOOPHOLES, and very limited deductions, as well as a foreign policy that supports our traditional allies, I would love to have Democratic primary debates that include several members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
The Trump administration will sound the death knell for "supply-side economics," tax policies favoring the ultra wealthy, and support for foreign dictators. The level of corruption will cause a powerful movement for reform, including term limits for SCOTUS justices. It will usher in the opportunity to form a government that actually works for the people and not the Elon Musks and Donald Trumps of the nation.
Death knell last heard after Reaganism…. not quite a death knell. Just a long rest
Let's hope this one is the stake in the economic vampire's heart!
No one who doesn’t get how Trump happened to us is worthy of running for president or any leadership position. Neither of them understand. And I’m still waiting for you to take leadership on this point. I get why people continually miss this. I’m a teacher. I understand how hard this is to learn.
Democracy works when a nation is balanced. We lost our balance when lawless thugs hijacked our public schools many decades ago and silenced the voices of called to teach teachers, turning our unions into these power mongers’ sycophants just as Trump has turned our government into his.
I’m one who has tried to expose what they’ve done to our schools since 1995 to no avail. I’ve had websites - WhiteChalkCrime.com and EndTeacherAbuse.org and books on this but the predators did such a good job of pretending education is not reformable by purging the dedicated teachers, people gave up on it. Our schools used to balance us in so many ways. They taught us to think critically. Now we’re at the mercy of celebrity influencers.
We are a bell curve of souls ranging from selfless to selfish. With so many in the middle possessing both, it takes little for the selfish to lead. Without great teachers helping us learn why the law - the essence of democracy - makes sense, it doesn’t make sense to enough people anymore.
Once we began disrespecting truth and the principles of democracy we lost our way as a society and it’s become who can grab more rather than how can we stop the urge to grab.
We were blessed with great teachers so this wouldn’t happen. When administrators trashed them, they trashed this society and until someone like you figures this out, investigates and repopulates the great teachers, this is as good as it gets.
Furthermore, if someone exposed these truths we could easily retake the schools by having good people run for school boards. This won’t happen if people continue to believe schools are not reformable. They’re intentionally made dysfunctional by puppet boards that often are clueless that they’re puppets! Our best and perhaps only path for saving democracy won’t happen as long as the great teachers have no voice.
Give us a voice and we can make a difference. Listen to five of us at WhiteChalkCrime.com
What a beautiful post. Thank you Karen!
Thank you for appreciating it. If not for the school shootings I would have given up long ago. We have them for the same reason we have Trump. If only more people were like you! I’m doing my best to find them. I appreciate any help I get. If only Steve would take this on. He’s such a fierce warrior for democracy. He’s so admirable but he doesn’t know this. No one does. That’s why I can’t give up.
Rahm is a very capable man, whatever he chooses to do!
Rahm is trash. Seriously, he covered up the murder of an African American teenager to win his reelection. Unions hate Emmanuel for his actions in the Obama admin and in his mayoralty in Chicago.
Rahm has no appeal! End of story.
He is a cocky, know-it-all! Too brash! Not attractive!
I'm with Mr. Anthony ^^
Rahm Emmanuel will forever be associated with no punishments for the banking industry after 2008. He's also another Dem forever chasing moderate Republican votes and hating on progressives/the left. So sure, laud him, praise him, worship him - but don't count on him becoming a Democratic savior.
Rahm is of the Bill Clinton neo liberal wing & should NOT be invited to be a leader. He's one of the reasons why we are living this catastrophe. Rahm would just want to 'work with' and capitulate to the enemy. And he was a failure as a mayor, remember? Besides, a Rahm DNC is in same mold as idiot Dem Senators electing Dick Durbin & Schumer....same old tired thinking, unable to deal with the ruthless transnational crime syndicate that's captured America. He's a big mouth and that's about it. Winkler for DNC Chair....youth, energy and on the ground experience, vision.
The Ezra Klein interview was worth listening to, but I didn't hear the one with Bret Stevens. Emanuel has always been a tough SOB who deserves much higher office. He could be the Jewish Kennedy (JFK, the first Catholic president) of the 21st Century. He plays hardball and the gloves are off; someone like Rahm can rise above the cacophony.
We need hardball now but maybe not for future country building.
Yes, a one-term move to the center might be enough to clean up from Trump;s final term.
Yeah, because center-right will really offers solutions for the working class.
And, there's that very ugly problem Emmanuel has revolving around covering up the police murder of a Laquan McDonald.
As a lifelong Chicagoan let me say loud and clear that Rahm Emanuel should have given up the charade years ago and just joined the GOP. He made his bones as a fundraiser for Bill Clinton. Schooled in triangulation by the man who signed NAFTA and accelerated the middle class destruction started by Reagan he was given the job as my congressman when Rod Blagojevich stepped down to run for Governor. He took over as chair of the DCCC and bragged about winning a dem majority. Unfortunately, since he refused to support progressives and instead worked to elect DINOs the dems accomplished nothing. Then, when my hopes were sky high for an Obama presidency, he named Rahm as Chief of Staff and the rest is history. Nothing accomplished except a health care plan written by the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists. When he finally wore out his welcome in DC he was once again given a job he didn’t earn, mayor of Chicago. I don’t have enough space to get into the disaster that became but I, for one, hoped to never hear his name associated with the Democratic Party again unless there’s an opening for ambassador to Siberia.
No to Rahm. We all remember his time as mayor.