Democrats grapple with electability myths as 2028 primary race approaches

With the November midterms ending, Democratic leaders will soon deploy extensive polling to rank potential 2028 presidential hopefuls, focusing on who can best overcome the perceived threat of Donald Trump and MAGA politics. The column cites past outliers such as Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, who overcame doubts about their viability to win their parties’ nominations and the White House. It attributes these surprises to reforms after the 1968 convention, which broadened delegate representation and shifted nominations to primaries and caucuses, as well as to demographic changes that have diversified the Democratic electorate.

The author stresses that modern voters reward candidates who can harness grassroots organizing, social media and resonant messaging, rather than those who simply appear safe on paper. By overlooking unconventional contenders, parties risk missing the next figure capable of reshaping national politics beyond one outlet partisan divide.