2028 Democratic Party presidential primaries

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

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 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 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

Shapiro says a Newsom–Vance race would be a vote against the MAGA agenda, despite his reservations about Newsom.

“If it is Gavin Newsom versus J.D. Vance, it is a vote against the MAGA agenda. It is a vote against J.D. Vance”

Digital Social Hour: Why Political Grifters Are Winning... | Brian Shapiro | DSH #2076 (Jul 21, 2026) · Listen from 33:56

Shapiro says Gavin Newsom would be the Democratic frontrunner if the election were held now.

“if the elections were tomorrow, I think Gavin Newsom would obviously be the front runner”

Digital Social Hour: Why Political Grifters Are Winning... | Brian Shapiro | DSH #2076 (Jul 21, 2026) · Listen from 7:43

Favreau says Ocasio-Cortez's main risk in a presidential run is being seen as too left, and that her careful endorsements suggest she is preparing accordingly.

“her risk is that she's seen as too left and too extreme and she's seen all the polling data”

Pod Save America: The Primaries Will Continue Until Morale Improves (Jul 21, 2026) · Listen from 1:08:16

Favreau says Harris would need to genuinely take responsibility for her past handling of Gaza.

“Like I was wrong or I made a mistake or I came to this too late”

Pod Save America: Trump’s 4th Threesome (Jul 2, 2026) · Listen from 46:11

Pfeiffer argues Kamala Harris cannot win a 2028 nomination without breaking sharply from Biden's Gaza policy.

“there is no path for her to the nomination that does not involve a massive pivot away from Biden's Israel and Gaza policy”

Pod Save America: Trump’s 4th Threesome (Jul 2, 2026) · Listen from 44:13