Image by Katelyn Perry.
The Democrat’s new candidate for 2028 is… Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
As it begins to strategize for the 2028 presidential election, the Democratic Party may be misjudging the nation’s mood and which issues Americans consider a priority. The Party’s success will hinge on whether it is able to properly “read the room” and understand fully the concerns, frustrations, and needs of its voters. It will then need to translate this into actionable tasks and tackle each problem one by one. The problem is that so far, the Democrats might be at risk of losing the next election as well if they don’t learn from the past.
In the last decade, Democrats relied heavily on minority voters, urban progressives, and suburban moderates, many of whom were united in voting against President Donald Trump.
But what happens in the next election cycle, when Trump will no longer be a candidate? The anti-Trump messaging will have lost its main goal – keeping Trump out of the White House. With him leaving anyway, the Democrats will need a new message – one that resonates with voters and appeals to their needs. Democrats will need to provide solutions for ongoing issues like inflation, housing, and healthcare.
An oft-voiced critique against the Democrats has been that they are out of touch with working-class voters. It is true that the party has made inroads with college-educated voters and affluent suburbanites, but it has not found full support among blue-collar workers, especially in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The right candidate will need to speak to the struggles of factory workers, small-town residents, and other working-class voters. It’s the economy and money in the pocket that matters most to this large and crucial demographic.
Democrats will need to address issues that matter to these workers and not focus solely on elite cultural issues such as climate change or identity politics. Cosmopolitan liberalism will only push away these voters and hand the Democrats a defeat once again.
The Democrats in 2028 will have the advantage of having been in power for only four of the previous 12 years. Voters undergo fatigue when one party has control of the White House for a long period, and desire change. Although Republicans might insist on Vice President JD Vance or another figure close to President Trump for the sake of continuity, this could backfire if the public demonstrates eagerness for a political shakeup.
Young voters especially might be the engine for such change, demanding a bold departure from the status quo, especially if the economy does not improve or global crises persist.
Then there are the culture wars. The Democratic Party has positioned itself as a warrior for progressive social change. While this has succeeded in energizing its base, it has also alienated the more conservative or moderate voters within the party. Gender identity, critical race theory, and cancel culture have all backfired and if Democrats continue to place these issues front and center, it will likely lose again in 2028.
Choosing a hyper-progressive candidate to appeal to the activist wing of the party might prove to be a mistake since swing voters are now likely weary of divisive rhetoric, craving instead practical governance over ideological crusade.
Reading the room wrong means the Democrats will either overreach or underperform.
Personality also matters and much of the skepticism surrounding former Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for president focused on her personality and “word salad” interviews.
Barack Obama’s charisma carried him to victory and Joe Biden won due to his “everyman” appeal. Democrats will need to choose a relatable candidate who can connect emotionally with voters – not someone who fails to inspire.
Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, as she is otherwise known, is not yet the Democratic Party’s official next presidential nominee, but the 35-year-old New York congresswoman is positioning herself well for a run.
Several recent polls show how voters are thinking about the upcoming primary – with AOC emerging as one of the top few contenders.
A CNN poll carried out from March 6 to 9 showed that AOC was the top politician among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents when asked which “one person best reflects the core values” of the party.
The path to 2028 is fraught with opportunities to slip up and misread the room. The Democratic Party must be careful not to underestimate the desire for change, misjudge cultural fault lines, or overlook the power of charisma. The party must listen closely to the electorate and hear its frustrations, needs, and hopes. The room is shifting and Democrats must utilize the next few years to prove they can still read it – and win the next election.
