In a recent conversation with SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, suggested that a Democrat who adopts President Donald Trump's economic policies could potentially be the party's beacon of hope for the 2028 elections.
The Democrats have been grappling with a lack of momentum since Trump's victory in November 2024, seemingly unable to rally behind a prominent candidate.
During their discussion on "The Megyn Kelly Show," the potential of California Governor Gavin Newsom to spearhead the Democrats in 2028 was brought up. Carlson, who has known Newsom for some time, acknowledged the governor's intelligence, describing him as "legit smart." However, when Kelly questioned whether Newsom could be the "Dems' great white hope from California for 2028," Carlson expressed skepticism.
According to the Daily Caller, Carlson responded, "Hes pretty white. I mean, its the anti-white party. They hate white people. Theyve been systematically disenfranchising white people from the country they were born in. They say that out loud. Thats what diversity is. Its everybody but white men. So Im not whining about it." He further noted that the situation was "much more comprehensive than Jim Crow ever was."
Rumors have been swirling that both Newsom and Democratic New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are setting their sights on their party's presidential nomination. However, a CNN/SSRS poll released on March 16 showed a mere 29% favorability rating for the party among respondents.
Carlson predicted that a dark horse candidate with inherent talent could emerge. "I continue to believe [that] even in the Democratic Party, you have to have talent to succeed," he said. He cited Bernie Sanders as an example of a talented politician, despite his personal disagreement with Sanders' policies. He also suggested that populist economics, similar to those championed by Trump, could be a winning strategy for a Democratic candidate.
When Kelly asked about Ocasio-Cortez's potential to secure the party's nomination, Carlson acknowledged her talent but questioned her ability to maintain the "enormous self-discipline" required for a presidential campaign. He also pointed out the challenges posed by the party's internal divisions over Israel.
A CNN/SSRS poll from March revealed that over 30% of respondents couldn't name a Democratic leader who they felt best embodied the party's core values. Among those who did name a leader, 10% chose Ocasio-Cortez, 9% selected former Vice President Kamala Harris, 8% said Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and 6% chose House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Former President Barack Obama and Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett each received 4% of the votes, while 2% named Schumer, among others.
This data suggests a lack of consensus within the party, indicating that the Democrats may need to find a candidate who can unite their diverse base and appeal to a broader electorate. Whether that candidate will emerge from the current pool of potential nominees or from an unexpected quarter remains to be seen.
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