The 2028 Race Has Begun. Here's Who's Winning.

[Dulcinea]

(Politico) The Trump Organization may sell Trump 2028 hats, but even President Donald Trump bowed to the Constitution and acknowledged earlier this month that he would not be the next Republican presidential nominee: “It’s not going to be me.”

It’s clear to everyone that the jockeying for presidential primary position in the post-Trump era — in both major parties — has already begun. Ambitious contenders are seizing on book deals, magazine profiles, podcast appearances, policy pronouncements and more than a few low-key beefs to find the spotlight and try to elbow into what will be a crowded race.

So which potential 2028ers jockeyed the best in 2025?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/2028-race-begun-winning-150000338.html

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Vance is toast. Rubio-Noem will be the GOP spread

It will be fun!!

[underpants]

3. Vance has sugar daddy Thiel and is already very involved with his kind

Vance went to several secretive meetings (executive retreats) in Ohio and Utah. These weren’t just political meetings but seen as planning sessions for the extremely “elite” crowd.

[Dulcinea]

4. True, but nobody likes Vance.

All Peter Thiel's money can't make VP Couchbanger likable. People don't vote for candidates they don't like. Kamala Harris & Hillary Clinton would have made great presidents, but Americans didn't like them.

[unblock]

5. Democrats haven't be likable. Republicans, not so much.

Ike was likable.

Reagan was likable.

That's about it.

[returnee]

7. Not sure they were as unlikeable as you might think.

https://thiswillhold.substack.com/p/how-did-43598-of-voters-cast-ballots.

…and “Russia, Russia, Russia” was not a hoax.

[underpants]

2. Some good writing here

The Thomas Marshall Prize for Vice Presidential Existence

Vice President JD Vance

This award is in memory of Woodrow Wilson’s vice president, Thomas Marshall, who famously said, “Once there were two brothers. One ran away to sea. The other was elected vice president. And nothing was ever heard of either of them again."

The Roscoe Conkling Award for Achievement in Resignation

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

As fans of Death by Lightning and the James Garfield presidency know, Roscoe Conkling was an imperious Republican senator from New York and defender of the spoils system. When Garfield wouldn’t appoint Conkling allies to key posts, Conkling huffily resigned with the belief he would be swiftly re-appointed by the New York State legislature in a show of his political strength. The plan backfired when the legislature snubbed him and his political career ended.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. None of them are going to win

Human Rights violators get sent to Gitmo to await their trial in front of citizen tribunals.

[Lonestarblue]

8. Vance has the charisma of a rock, but he is an opportunist.

He is also extremely ambitious. He will say and do whatever is needed to get the nomination. The MAGA crowd is easily fooled, and all he has to tell them is that he will continue Trump’s legacy. It’s the Independents he will need to court. For them, it will be lies about the economy and how AI and tech will make everyone rich.

[Frasier Balzov]

9. I heard a rumor that I keep trying to start.

That Conor Lamb will be the Democratic Party presidential nominee.

Nobody saw it coming, especially him.