What Dan Pfeiffer has said about 2028 Republican Party presidential primaries
6 quotes · 4 episodes · May 8, 2026 – Jul 17, 2026
Dan Pfeiffer, Co-host of Pod Save America, author of the Message Box newsletter, and former White House communications director, has been quoted on 2028 Republican Party presidential primaries 6 times in 4 episodes of Pod Save America, most recently on July 17, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Pfeiffer argues Vance is failing because he tries to appeal to every faction rather than choosing a side.
“you really have to pick a side. And he's trying to be all things to all people”
Pod Save America: Trump's Explosive Diarrhea of the Mouth (Jul 17, 2026) · Listen from 40:25
Pfeiffer said he believes the winning 2028 candidate will offer a version of Obama's unifying message rather than a liberal inverse of Trump.
“I 1000% believe that the winning 2028 candidate will be someone who offers a version of that message”
Pod Save America: LIVE(ish) from the Obama Presidential Center (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 13:16
Pfeiffer argued the war's main damage to Vance is ensuring Trump is very unpopular when Vance seeks to succeed him.
“I think the damage of the war to J.D. Vance is I think it has ensured that Donald Trump will be a very unpopular president”
Pod Save America: LIVE(ish) from the Obama Presidential Center (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 52:23
Pfeiffer attributes Rubio's rise mainly to seeming more competent and normal than Vance and other cabinet members.
“I just think he is a Republican who might seem slightly more competent and normal than your average Trump cabinet member”
Pod Save America: Is It Gay to Flip Texas? (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 57:22
Pfeiffer argues Rubio's rising popularity reflects Vance's weakness more than Rubio's strength.
“I think the Rubio boomlet, as you have deemed it, has more to do with JD Vance sucking than Marco Rubio shining”
Pod Save America: It's One Ballroom, Donald, How Much Could It Cost? (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 21:38
Pfeiffer says Rubio's main liability with the MAGA base is his past work with Obama on an immigration bill offering a path to citizenship.
“Marco Rubio's greatest legislative accomplishment, perhaps his only legislative accomplishment, was to work hand in hand with Barack Obama and Harry Reid”
Pod Save America: It's One Ballroom, Donald, How Much Could It Cost? (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 22:56
Episodes
Trump's Explosive Diarrhea of the MouthPod Save America · Jul 17, 2026 · 1 h 26 min
Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer dissect Trump's election-conspiracy prime-time address and administration scandals, then Alex Wagner interviews Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
LIVE(ish) from the Obama Presidential CenterPod Save America · Jun 19, 2026 · 1 h 5 min
The Pod Save America hosts record from the new Obama Presidential Center, reacting to the Obamas' speeches, Trump's Iran MOU, JD Vance's book tour, and the Reflecting Pool algae.
Is It Gay to Flip Texas?Pod Save America · May 29, 2026 · 1 h 32 min
Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer discuss the Iran MOU, the economy, Trump's gold-plated DC and $250 bill, Texas's Senate race, and interview Mississippi Senate nominee Scott Colom.
It's One Ballroom, Donald, How Much Could It Cost?Pod Save America · May 8, 2026 · 1 h 38 min
Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer discuss the Iran war, Trump's taxpayer-funded ballroom, Vance versus Rubio, gerrymandering and Kash Patel; Jon Lovett interviews Tom Steyer.
Others on 2028 Republican Party presidential primaries
- Tim Dillon · 1 quote
- Maggie Haberman · 1 quote
- Charles C. W. Cooke · 1 quote
- Rich Lowry · 1 quote
- Megyn Kelly · 1 quote
- Will Sommer · 1 quote
- Jon Lovett · 1 quote
- Tommy Vietor · 1 quote
Dan Pfeiffer on other topics
- 2026 United States midterm elections · 17 quotes
- 2026 United States Senate election in Maine · 10 quotes
- United States war with Iran · 9 quotes
- 2026 United States Senate election in Texas · 6 quotes
- Political corruption in the United States · 5 quotes
- Redistricting in the United States · 4 quotes
- White House ballroom project · 4 quotes
- Donald Trump approval rating · 4 quotes