Pete Buttigieg "Inclined" To Run In 2028 Amid Lackluster Democrat Field

The Democrats have been in free fall, and borderline civil war, for a few months now. The rise of socialism in the party has created a divide between the normal and the deluded, the socialists falling into the latter half of that statement. Right now, the Democrats have no real leader, no true momentum, and really, no real idea who they want to run for President in 2028.

Amid all the chaos, the usual suspects like Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris have thrown their names into the ring. But their poll numbers have been so bad, the idea of them being any kind of frontrunner is almost laughable. The progressive side of the party is pushing people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be the candidate, which is further fueling the internal bickering.

Now, as he did in 2020, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on a podcast recently that he feels "more inclined than not" to run in 2028. After running fifth in the Democrat primaries in 2020, the former small-town Mayor is deciding now is the time to get back into the mix. In reality, the timing for him might not work out much better.

Political writer Victor Joecks says Buttigieg running again would not be a surprise, especially after boosting his resume under the Biden Administration.

"He is no longer just the mayor of a small town in the middle of America...he was a Transportation Secretary...and the Democrats do not seem to have a real clear frontrunner," he says.

The Democrats not having a front runner presents a prime opportunity for Buttigieg, who while he is progressive, is not full-blown socialist like the other radical DSA candidates have become.

As mentioned though, there is another advantage for old mayor Pete. He has the benefit of being an "also ran," combined with his experience in the White House.

"Running in 2020 prepare him to run, and run a much stronger campaign in 2028," says Joecks.

But of course, the strength of a campaign is centered around the ideas. Buttigieg's ideas directly conflict with American values. He wants to pack the Supreme Court, saying so recently in another interview. But that is the issue with all the potential candidates. Their views vary widely, but all come back to a similar theme. Americans do not agree with them, at all.

There is another challenge though for Buttigieg.

"The primary schedule...which I think is very unfavorable for Buttigieg," Joecks says. "He did very poorly in South Carolina and I think it is extremely unlikely a gay candidate is going to get significant support from African American voters."

The latter of that equation will be critical for any Democrat candidate. Surely as well, since we are two years out, more names will be tossed into the running. Even if they know they are detrimental to the party.