Democrats Learn NOTHING — Same Playbook Returns

Democrats are already lining up for 2028, and early polling reveals the party may be headed toward recycling the same establishment figures who’ve consistently failed to connect with working Americans.

Story Snapshot

California Governor Gavin Newsom leads early 2028 Democratic polling at 21%, with failed 2024 nominee Kamala Harris trailing close behind at 19%
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dominates among young voters despite raising concerns about her progressive agenda that alienates moderates
The Democratic field includes billionaire self-funders and establishment politicians positioning themselves two years before the election
Party insiders gathered in Los Angeles in December 2025 to network and fundraise, signaling an early scramble for donor support

Democrats Recycle Failed Candidates

Early polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential race shows the party gravitating toward familiar faces rather than fresh leadership. Gavin Newsom, California’s governor whose state grapples with homelessness, crime, and mass exodus of residents, secured 21% support in September 2025 Yahoo/YouGov polling. Kamala Harris, who lost decisively to President Trump in 2024, sits at 19% despite her unsuccessful track record. The recycling of establishment figures suggests Democrats haven’t learned from their recent electoral failures or understood why working-class Americans rejected their policies.

Progressive Wing Pushes Radical Agenda

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leads among younger Democratic voters according to December 2025 polling by The Hill, raising alarm bells about the party’s leftward drift. She raised $15 million in the first half of 2025 while conducting a “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, signaling her intention to push even more extreme progressive policies. Her popularity among young voters demonstrates a generational divide within the Democratic Party, with younger members embracing socialist-leaning policies that threaten free-market principles and individual liberty. This progressive dominance among youth voters reveals the concerning direction of Democratic Party ideology.

Establishment Candidates Position for Power

The December 2025 Democratic National Committee winter gathering in Los Angeles brought together Newsom, Harris, and billionaire Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to schmooze with party elites and donors. Pritzker, worth $3.9 billion, can self-fund his campaign entirely, giving him advantages unavailable to grassroots candidates. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg polls at 10%, positioning himself as potentially the first openly LGBT major party nominee. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro focuses on his gubernatorial reelection while keeping presidential options open. These establishment figures represent the same globalist, big-government approach that drove voters to reject Democratic policies in 2024.

Financial Advantages Shape Early Race

Campaign finance dynamics reveal how Democrats prioritize wealthy elites over ordinary Americans. Pritzker’s billions allow him to bypass grassroots fundraising entirely, while Ocasio-Cortez’s $15 million haul demonstrates progressive activists’ financial clout. Harris established a super PAC called “Fight the People” to influence 2026 midterms while contemplating her political future, showing how establishment Democrats use political action committees to maintain power. Several candidates face potential liability for their 2025 votes supporting stablecoin legislation, which could become politically toxic if economic instability emerges. The early fundraising scramble demonstrates Democrats’ focus on donor relationships rather than policy solutions for struggling American families.

Party Faces Internal Divisions

The Democratic field reveals deep ideological fractures between progressive and moderate wings. Ocasio-Cortez’s socialist-leaning agenda contrasts sharply with Newsom and Harris’s establishment centrism, creating potential for bitter primary battles. Senator Cory Booker attempted to raise his profile with a 25-hour Senate floor speech in March 2025, while Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego unveiled immigration reform plans after voting for the Laken Riley bill. These positioning moves indicate candidates recognize the need to differentiate themselves in a crowded field. The generational and ideological splits suggest Democrats may struggle to unite behind a nominee, potentially weakening their general election prospects against the Republican ticket in 2028.