A fresh report suggests that Democrats are feeling “lost and rudderless” after their electoral defeat, and the list of potential presidential contenders for 2028 seems to back that up. Among the names floated by The Hill is none other than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prospect that underscores just how thin the Democratic bench has become. If this is the best they’ve got to counter Republicans, it’s clear the resistance party is scrambling for relevance.
Leading the pack, unsurprisingly, is Vice President Kamala Harris, despite her resounding defeat at the hands of Donald Trump. Harris had every possible media advantage and still came across as wholly unlikable, leaving many wondering how Democrats could think she might rally in four years. Yet, she remains their frontrunner, a testament to just how deep their talent crisis runs. Behind Harris are California Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, whose résumés scream “elite bubble” more than broad appeal.
The report notes that Democratic insiders are struggling to figure out their path forward. One strategist candidly admitted the party feels as adrift as it did after 2016. The sentiment of being “lost and rudderless” is hard to dispute when names like AOC start surfacing as viable contenders. While The Hill acknowledges there’s no confirmation that Ocasio-Cortez is planning a run, the fact her name is even floated speaks volumes about the party’s current state. Insiders laud her ability to “cut through the BS,” but many question whether she has the maturity or coherence to tackle something as demanding as the presidency.
Not everyone is buying the AOC hype. Critics within the party point out that the progressive “Squad” she leads pushed too hard, too fast, alienating key Democratic power brokers. “D.C. doesn’t work that way, and neither does our party,” one strategist remarked, calling for a return to basics rather than radical theatrics. Polling reflects this skepticism, with Ocasio-Cortez polling at a paltry 1 percent, tied with figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and even comedian Jon Stewart. It’s not exactly a groundswell of support for the congresswoman-turned-social-media-influencer.
In reality, AOC’s chances of running in 2028 seem about as real as the time she pretended to be handcuffed at a protest. Her prospects of hosting The Daily Show are probably higher than leading the Democratic Party into the next presidential race. If Democrats think Harris, who already embodies the “Squad’s” performative politics, was soundly rejected by voters, it’s hard to see how doubling down with an actual Squad member could end any better. For now, Ocasio-Cortez’s presidential ambitions look more like wishful thinking than a legitimate possibility, highlighting just how much work the Democrats have ahead to rebuild their credibility.
