A sensitive debate is taking place within the Democratic Party in the United States: what is the profile of the candidate capable of regaining the White House in 2028.
Behind closed doors, but increasingly in public as well, some leaders and strategists are discussing a scenario that contradicts the party’s recent direction: a straight, white, Christian man, as highlighted by Axios.
The fear among Democrats, expressed even in informal discussions, is that a portion of the American electorate remains too hesitant to support a woman or a candidate from a minority.
After two defeats against Trump, pessimism grows
The Democratic Party has defined itself in recent years as a supporter of diversity – women, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, or religious minorities. The election of Barack Obama marked the peak of this direction.
But the two defeats against Donald Trump, both with women on the ticket, have changed the tone within the party.
"There is a fear – and I don't think it's just at the leadership level, I think you hear it from voters as well – that a woman has already lost twice," a Democratic political consultant told Axios.
"We're not ignoring the hundreds of cases where men have lost, but is it fair to nominate a woman again?" asks the same strategist from the Democratic camp.
Michelle Obama brought the discussion into public
Former First Lady Michelle Obama fueled the debate in November, stating that the US "is not ready for a woman."
"We still have a lot of maturing to do and unfortunately, there are still many men who don't feel they can be led by a woman," she explained these trends.
Congressman Jim Clyburn agreed, saying that the statement is "absolutely correct," but emphasized that women must continue to run.
Kamala Harris: We were already asking a lot of America
Former Vice President and defeated candidate Kamala Harris openly spoke about these limits in her book "107 Days." She explained why she did not choose Pete Buttigieg as her running mate: "He would have been an ideal partner if I were a straight, white man."
Harris described the pressure of the moment. "But we were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a woman of color, a woman of color married to a Jewish man. Part of me wanted to say, 'Screw it, let's do it.' But, knowing what was at stake, the risk was too great," Harris wrote in her book.
However, she later stated that "the country is ready" for a female president.
Who are the possible candidates
At this point, few women are considered potential candidates for 2028, although names like Harris, Elissa Slotkin, the senator from Michigan, or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York in Congress, are being mentioned. The Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, is also mentioned, although the chances of a candidacy are uncertain.
On the other hand, the list of men includes very diverse figures: from JB Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois, and Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania - both Jewish - to Ruben Gallego, the Senator from Arizona, who is Latino, or Ro Khanna, a Congressman from California, who is of Indian origin.
However, there are also options that fit the discussed profile: the Governor of Kentucky - Andy Beshear, Senator from Arizona - Mark Kelly, or the Governor of California - Gavin Newsom.
Counterarguments: The data show otherwise
Not all Democrats accept the idea that American voters are not ready for diversity.
"They have no idea what they're talking about. The data show otherwise," said Ro Khanna about this theory. He argues that Harris "got the same vote from white voters as Barack Obama."
"What she lost among white men, she recovered among white women. But we didn't win as many Latino, Asian, black men, or young voters," said the Democratic congressman from California.
Gretchen Whitmer also rejects pessimism. "I admire Michelle Obama, but I believe America is ready for a female president," said the Governor of Michigan.
What actually matters to voters
Other potential candidates say that identity matters less than the message.
"How you gain the trust of voters is mainly about what they believe you will do for their lives, not about labels," said Buttigieg.
And Josh Shapiro directly responded to a common prejudice: "I believe America is ready to elect a woman, a person of color, a gay person, a Jew, or anything else."
His final message summarizes the real stake of the competition: "What America wants is someone who will fix things for the people."
G.P.