Republican strategist Karl Rove has identified three Democratic politicians who he believes possess the "elements of a winning formula" necessary to reclaim the White House in the 2028 presidential election. In his latest column for the Wall Street Journal, Rove praised Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, and former Chicago Mayor and Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, describing them as "possible Democratic 2028 hopefuls" who are "outliers within their party."
Beshear's Authenticity and Tone
Rove noted that Beshear has found the right "tone" in his political messaging, particularly in his calls for Democrats to be "authentic." However, he cautioned that Beshear must appear genuine in his delivery. "Of course in telling Democrats to be authentic, he should come across as such. That's sometimes a problem for Mr. Beshear. He's too wooden," Rove wrote.
Booker's Language and Unity
According to Rove, Booker "got the language right" during his speech at the Michigan Democratic Convention earlier this month. Rove highlighted Booker's question to the audience: "Will you stand together, unified, strong—be the hope that people need?" This rhetorical appeal, Rove argued, demonstrates Booker's ability to connect with voters on an emotional level.
Emanuel's Centrist Appeal
Rove praised Emanuel for making a "compelling, common-sense case for a new Democratic Party." Emanuel, who served as U.S. ambassador to Japan under President Joe Biden, has been running on a centrist platform, offering practical solutions and criticizing his party for being out of touch with middle America. "Capturing the right tone matters, but substance does, too," Rove said of Emanuel.
Outliers Within the Party
Rove concluded that these three candidates stand out as "outliers within their party" and warned Democrats against fielding "fake independents." He added, "Democrats still have time to get things right for the midterms and 2028, but less than they think."
The Independent has reached out to Beshear, Booker, and Emanuel for comment. This analysis comes amid growing speculation about potential 2028 candidates. On the Democratic side, popular predictions include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Vice President Kamala Harris. For Republicans, Vice President JD Vance is seen as a natural successor to Donald Trump, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also been mentioned. Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket currently favor Newsom and Vance to win their respective party nominations.
