Democrats in Disarray - Trump Just DESTROYED Entire Party!
Internal conflicts are preventing the Democratic Party from regaining its footing ahead of the next presidential election, leaving the party in shambles.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, often regarded as the party’s top contender, is facing backlash for inviting MAGA Republican radio host Steve Bannon onto his new podcast.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, another potential nominee, was among the first to voice his disapproval.
“Newsom bringing on different voices is great, we shouldn’t be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone,” he said, as reported by Politico. “But Steve Bannon espouses hatred and anger, and even at some points violence, and I don’t think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere.”
Despite their prominence, recent polls show both governors only slightly ahead of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, while falling significantly behind former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Buttigieg’s decision this week to forgo running for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat has fueled speculation of a potential presidential run in 2028.
The former Transportation Secretary stated that he has “decided against competing” for either governor or senator, even though he had previously expressed interest in challenging retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in one of the most competitive races of the 2026 cycle.
“I care deeply about who Michigan will elect as Governor and send to the U.S. Senate next year, but I have decided against competing in either race. I remain enthusiastic about helping candidates who share our values – and who understand that in this moment, leadership means not only opposing today’s cruel chaos, but also presenting a vision of a better alternative,” he posted on X.
“While my own plans don’t include running for office in 2026, I remain intensely focused on consolidating, communicating, and supporting a vision for this alternative. The decisions made by elected leaders matter entirely because of how they shape our everyday lives – and the choices made in these years will decide the American people’s access to freedom, security, democracy, and prosperity for the rest of our lifetimes,” he added.
Buttigieg’s allies have framed this move as strategic positioning for a future presidential campaign, avoiding tough races in 2026 and 2028, according to an insider who spoke to Politico.
“The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win. Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run,” veteran Democratic strategist David Axelrod told Politico.
However, Axelrod also noted that if Buttigieg had won a Senate seat in 2026, it would have “almost certainly” taken him out of the running for 2028.
“This certainly keeps that option open,” Axelrod added.
Currently, Buttigieg trails only Harris in the early 2028 Democratic primary standings. However, Harris herself has been weighing a run for a more immediate position.
Reports suggest the former vice president has been considering a 2026 campaign for California governor. She is expected to announce her decision by summer’s end, according to Politico, citing sources familiar with her plans.
Meanwhile, Buttigieg’s announcement has sent Democrats scrambling to find a replacement for Peters in Michigan, a key battleground state that played a pivotal role in President Donald Trump’s victory last November. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, relocated to Michigan in 2022, where his husband Chasten was born.
Political analyst Mark Halperin has suggested that Buttigieg’s identity as a “short and gay” man could present challenges in securing the Democratic nomination in 2028, following his decision not to run for Michigan’s Senate seat or governorship.
Speaking on “The Morning Meeting,” Halperin pointed out that an “openly gay” candidate has never won the presidency and noted that taller candidates have historically had an advantage.
“Gotta say it — he’s short and gay. So you can say winning the nomination, being short and gay, is a positive. And for some people, maybe not short, but gay is a positive,” Halperin remarked. “And I know for some people there is, but there is going to be a premium for the party in 2028 on winning, right? It’s just like ’92. There are going to be a lot of voters who are willing to swallow stuff in order to win.”