2WAY Tonight with Mark Halperin 2028 Presidential Election Update: Who's Leading the Democrats? Is JD Vance Suddenly Vulnerable?
Dec 18, 2025
Hyma Moore, a savvy Democratic strategist known for her insightful campaign analysis, joins John Podhoretz, a conservative commentator and editor at Commentary, to dissect the evolving 2028 presidential landscape. They debate Gavin Newsom's rising star status and the potential for progressive insurgents like AOC and Bernie’s coalition to reshape the nomination process. The dialogue also explores the vulnerabilities of JD Vance within the Republican party and speculates on the implications for MAGA supporters and establishment GOP dynamics.
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Parnes' Democratic Tiers
- Amie Parnes places Gavin Newsom in a solo top tier for Democrats and others like Wes Moore and Pete Buttigieg in a second tier.
- She sees no AOC in tier two and is skeptical of some governors' buzz translating nationally.
Moore's Two-Person Top Tier
- Hyma Moore puts Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris in tier one, citing Harris's built-in voter base from having been VP.
- Moore also lists a larger second tier including J.B. Pritzker and Wes Moore based on resources and potential.
Podhoretz On The Insurgent Threat
- John Podhoretz argues AOC must be considered top-tier because an insurgent left candidate can rapidly capture momentum.
- He warns that an AOC-like insurgent could outflank establishment choices if allowed to catch fire.