Dem
47
GOP
53
Of the various potential Democratic candidates for president in 2028, one interesting one is Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). He has a number of things going for him. He is a Latino at a moment when Latinos are swarming back to the Democrats. He is a Marine Corps veteran who served in heavy combat in Iraq. He has a degree from Harvard. He is from a swing state (Arizona) that is next to another swing state (Nevada), together good for 17 electoral votes (more than Wisconsin or Michigan). He is progressive enough that progressives could accept him if their first choice doesn't make it, but without being scary to moderates. He is fairly young (45), looks good on television, and is a good public speaker. He has a beard, which would cancel out J.D. Vance's if he is the Republican nominee.
Gallego is starting to practice a potential stump speech should he decide to get into the presidential race after the midterms, even though he is currently saying he is leaning against a run (which is what they all say, pretty much). His pitch is to blame the looming health care premium increases and Medicaid cuts squarely on the Republicans. This is the kind of kitchen-table issue that many voters respond to.
At a recent town hall in Tucson, Gallego was well received. He voted against the surrender in the Senate last week and no one challenged him on that. What people wanted to know is what Democrats should do. He said they needed a Plan 2029 that focuses on making sure every American has a chance, including access to affordable housing and health care. He also kept emphasizing that the Republicans' strategy is not working for many people. He said of the Republicans: "They want to divide the poor versus not-so-poor, in order for them to be able to get these tax cuts. They want to kick people off Medicaid. It is a very easy thing for a lot of us to be divided right now. The most important thing we can do is to be united." It went over well and could be the blueprint for Democrats in 2026 and Gallego in 2028. (V)