What Matt Yglesias has said about 2028 Democratic Party presidential primaries

Yglesias argues that the 2028 nominee will effectively define what the Democratic Party stands for.

“Somebody is going to win it. That person will be the leader. What Democrats stand for is going to be, you know, largely whatever it is that person stands for”

Pod Save America: The Search for an Exciting Moderate (Jul 26, 2026) · Listen from 3:21

Yglesias argues recent Democratic nominees were cautious establishment 'overdogs' rather than risk-taking underdogs like Obama and Trump.

“The last three times, Democrats have kind of had this sort of overdog nominee who was handed down by the weight of the past”

Pod Save America: The Search for an Exciting Moderate (Jul 26, 2026) · Listen from 38:44

Yglesias argues Biden's 2020 primary win showed that a focus on beating Trump resonated with Democratic voters.

“his message of like, I'm just going to beat Donald Trump was like pretty compelling actually to Democratic primary voters”

Pod Save America: The Search for an Exciting Moderate (Jul 26, 2026) · Listen from 50:59

Yglesias says Josh Shapiro's heartfelt moderation often centers on Israel, where public opinion is moving against him.

“You can't win by being moderate on something where everything's going the other way”

Pod Save America: The Search for an Exciting Moderate (Jul 26, 2026) · Listen from 55:44

Yglesias says Rahm Emanuel's candidacy would relitigate old controversies and he should instead mentor newer politicians.

“I would love for Rahm to take a step back and to mentor somebody else”

Pod Save America: The Search for an Exciting Moderate (Jul 26, 2026) · Listen from 1:10:01