Latest news with #FutureForward
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Democrats learned the wrong lesson from one of Trump's most powerful campaign strategies
This June marks the 50th anniversary of Pride, and with WorldPride descending on D.C., the nation's capital will become the epicenter of the monumental occasion. But the celebrations will take place amid a climate of fear. In just the first few months since his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has attacked nearly every marginalized group that didn't vote for him, with trans Americans among his favorite targets. Too many Democrats played right into his hands by refusing to engage in the fight at all. Democrats have won this fight before, and they can win it again — but only through confrontation, not cowardice. The most devastating ad of the 2024 cycle featured a clip of Kamala Harris supporting gender-affirming surgery for incarcerated illegal immigrants. The commercial ended with the line, 'Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.' It was cheap, cruel and wildly misleading — but brutally effective. According to Future Forward, Harris' own billion-dollar Super PAC, the ad swung voters by 2.7 percentage points. Democrats like Bill Clinton warned that Harris' campaign needed to respond, but after a possible response tested poorly, the campaign chose silence. Even months after the election, Democratic leaders still haven't figured out why that ad worked. Their takeaway? Curse more. Make more TikToks. Find the left's version of Joe Rogan. But that's not what people want. They want to know someone is in the ring, fighting for them. They want courage. The trans issue in American politics is a paradox. On the one hand, it dominates headlines. Search the internet for 'NCAA trans athletes' any day of the week, or spend five minutes watching Fox News, and you'll believe that trans athletes are taking over the NCAA. Earlier this year, 13 senators signed a resolution demanding that the NCAA ban trans athletes. But guess how many trans athletes were actually competing in NCAA sports? Fewer than 10. Out of 510,000. So why the outrage? Simple: fear. Americans are overwhelmed by change. They're anxious, and Trump knows this. He has always promised to protect people from various boogeymen: immigrants, the left, and now, trans people. But the MAGA outrage machine isn't just yelling into a podcast mic; it's leading to real harm. Trans Americans are nearly five times more likely to be victims of violent crime. And while they face this escalating threat, Trump allies like Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace are storming a Capitol Hill bathroom to confront a woman they think is trans. The trans community needs fighters in Washington. But so far, Democrats have decided to 'don't ask, don't tell' in this fight, or outright throw the trans community under the bus for the sake of 'electability.' What makes this decision even more frustrating is that trans rights aren't even unpopular. According to a March Pew poll, 56% of Americans support protecting trans people from discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces. That's nearly 15 points higher than Trump's current favorability. The public isn't the problem. The silence from the top is. In the attention economy, silence is surrender. Trump and his allies are loud, relentless and shameless. Unless Democrats are willing to be just as loud, but with truth and moral clarity, they will keep losing. This Pride month, Democrats can't remain silent like Harris did. They have to swing back. When Republicans start ramping up their attacks on Trans people, Democrats need to start showing up on the front lines, loudly calling out the GOP's twisted obsession for exactly what it is: creepy, invasive and deeply dangerous. Republicans' creepy obsession with monitoring our restrooms isn't about safety. It's not about fairness. It's about attention, power and fearmongering. People are looking for someone who will defend their version of the American dream, and no one's dream includes genital checks at the bathroom door. Democrats have won this fight before. Nearly 10 years ago, North Carolina Republicans enacted the first bill restricting transgender Americans from using the bathroom matching their gender identities. But the nation mobilized to stop these bigoted bathroom checks with widespread boycotts and financial pressure even from the NCAA. A year later, the bill was repealed, though Republicans still haven't given up. In Omaha, Nebraska, less than a month ago, Democrat John Ewing defeated three-term Mayor Jean Stothert. The incumbent, a Republican, ran a vicious anti-trans campaign. Ewing didn't stay silent, but faced the issue head-on with a blunt slogan, 'Jean is focused on potties. John is focused on fixing potholes.' And my organization, Progress Action Fund, is following in their footsteps. Next week, we'll be releasing a sequel to our viral 'Your Republican Congressman' ads, literally showing how the GOP is more concerned with checking people's genitals than focusing on the real priorities of the American people. In our testing, this message moves the needle against Republicans more than 3 percentage points. Democrats must stop managing fear and start confronting it. Not just to defend a community under siege, but to remind every American watching that Democrats are still capable of courage. That this party remembers how to throw a punch. That, like trans rights supporters have done for decades, they are ready to resist loudly, unapologetically, and without permission. This article was originally published on
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
The Evolving Role of HR: From Support to Strategic Business Partner, ETHRWorld
'In today's business environment, HR has two clear mandates: make money or save it. If it does neither, it risks becoming irrelevant.' Advt The power of asking WHY: Behind BMW Group India's vision of shared purpose In an industry that's transforming at a rapid pace, shaped by shifts toward sustainability, electrification, and new mobility models, keeping people aligned and inspired is more critical than ever. BMW Group India CEO sees this not as an HR initiative, but as the very heart of leading a future-ready organization. See More Details Advt The talent factory blueprint: Inside Adani GCC's people-first leadership A central pillar of Dr Sanjeev Rastogi's leadership philosophy is the creation of what is called a 'talent factory', a structured, forward-looking program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders, for the Adani Group. See More Details Companies ramp up scrutiny of side hustles, substance use & shady pasts BGV firms have noticed a steep rise in clients asking for drug testing to ensure workplace safety and adherence to regulatory standards. For instance, EY India reported that MNCs across sectors such as aviation, healthcare, and IT often conduct drug tests during onboarding and, in some cases, randomly post-joining—especially in safety-critical or compliance-heavy roles. See More Details Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETHRWorld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App That's the blunt assessment offered in a sharp take on the future of HR , framed through the lens of strategic business partnering . And what does that mean exactly?'Strategic means being smart, relevant, and intentional. Business means driving outcomes, either generating revenue or saving costs. And partnering means collaborating across the board, even with teams you may not always agree with—finance, tech, operations, all of them,' said Yamini Aadya Goyal, CHRO of Indian Bank Global Support Services, on the sidelines of ETHRWorld Future Forward Chennai HR to earn a seat at the strategic table, it must contribute where it counts: by hiring the right talent, retaining top performers, and ensuring the learning and development budget delivers real value, not just induction programs. This, especially in the context of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), positions HR as either a revenue enabler or a cost savior.'You may know you're adding value, but unless the rest of the business knows it too, and you have the data to prove it, it doesn't matter,' Goyal said, adding that the future of HR, then, belongs to those who can speak the language of business, and prove their impact in real as HR continues to evolve from a support function to a strategic enabler, industry leaders agree on one thing: its future lies in aligning deeply with business goals while staying rooted in human values, especially in an era increasingly defined by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.'When Jacob George, Head - HR, TransUnion GCC India, began his career, there were round robins about HR business partnering and strategic alignment. Back then, 'HR in the boardroom' was a lofty goal, but today, he said it's a reality.'HR is in the boardroom now. That evolution is ongoing, and we're in a great place. Yet, the journey is far from over. The real opportunity lies in what HR chooses to champion next,' George said.'Whatever the disruptions ahead—be it AI, automation, or shifts in the workplace, the need for a strong, values-driven culture won't go away. And if HR becomes the culture champion and advisor to business, that's not just a responsibility, it's our future,' he credibility through execution, HR leaders argued, is what earns professionals the respect and trust needed to push boundaries and offer strategic input. Credibility, according to Balaji Ethirajan, Global CHRO, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, is the foundation of strategic influence in HR. And it begins with simply delivering on what's expected.'Before you start advising, consulting, or bringing in big ideas, you have to do the basics right. That's non-negotiable,' he said, adding, 'This applies to everyone, whether you're just starting out, a general manager, or a CHRO. You've been hired to do a job, and you need to demonstrate success in that role first.''Once you deliver, you build trust. Then you can start pushing the envelope, offering new ideas, influencing decisions. But if you skip the basics and jump straight to strategy, you might get indulged, but you won't be taken seriously,' the CHRO frameworks like Maslow's hierarchy, Ethirajan emphasised the importance of first meeting foundational expectations before aspiring to higher-order a nutshell, to be truly strategic and future-ready, HR must go beyond good intentions and embrace a comprehensive skillset that balances delivery, adaptability, communication, and needs to reflect on four pillars: delivery, technology readiness, communication, and the courage to stand first step, according to Nageshwar PB, Group CHRO, Casagrand Builder, is professional competence. 'Do we have the domain expertise? Do we know our job well? That's foundational. Without that, we cannot deliver what's expected, let alone be strategic,' he second, equally critical, is embracing emerging technologies. The third pillar is communication, an underrated yet essential HR competency.'The fourth, and perhaps most personal insight, was about integrity and backbone,' PB said, adding, 'We all talk about skills like reading a profit and loss (P&L) or understanding a balance sheet, and yes, those are expected. But if I had to add one defining trait for HR success at any level, it's this: a strong spine. You need to have the courage to stand up for what's right, even if it means challenging the CEO.'
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Warman city council questions proposed joint-use high school location
A proposed joint-use high school for Martensville and Warman, Sask., students in the rural municipality of Corman Park has hit a sticking point, as Warman city council is now saying a new high school within Warman itself would be a "more responsible and cost-effective alternative for Warman taxpayers." In response, a citizen-led coalition dubbed Future Forward for Warman says the city is overlooking facts, ignoring sound planning recommendations and delaying progress on a solution that already has broad regional and provincial support, without presenting any alternative for overcrowding at Warman High School. The Prairie Spirit School Division and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools submitted an application for a joint-use school between Warman and Martensville to the provincial Ministry of Education in 2022, and has been resubmitting it every year since. The proposal would see a new facility built along Township Road 384 in the RM of Corman Park, just east of Martensville, a bedroom community just north of Saskatoon. Prairie Spirit communications manager Brenda Erickson said the location is supported by a study conducted by local municipalities within the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G). In March 2025, the province announced the project is at the top of the ministry's list for future capital projects, "which is a positive step in this Ministry process," Erickson said. In fact, it is No. 1 and No. 2 on the top 10 list, as both Prairie Spirit and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools have submitted this capital request, she said. Warman High School is currently at 103 per cent capacity, with an enrolment of 751 students as of September 30, 2024. "At just over 100 per cent usage, the level of usage at Warman High School is typical prior to a new build," said Erickson. 'Significant and unnecessary expense' The City of Warman was originally on board with the proposed joint use high school, signing a memorandum of understanding in early 2022 along with the City of Martensville, RM of Corman Park and the two school divisions indicating their collective support for the project. In the intervening years, some Warman councillors have expressed reluctance over the project and pushed for more study to be conducted. In recent weeks, Future Forward for Warman has been posting to social media advocating for the joint-use high school project. On April 29, Warman resident Laura Davies posted a social media video where she called on fellow citizens to reach out to Warman councillors to either express support for the joint use high school or ask what the city's alternative would be. "I'm not here to point fingers or assign blame without reason. I understand that due diligence is essential. However, when the cost of inaction falls squarely on the shoulders of our children, who will end up in overcrowded classrooms struggling to learn in inadequate spaces, we have to ask ourselves: is more study really an answer or just a stall tactic?" Davies asked. "Our students cannot wait. Learning spaces are essential, and construction takes time. As a community, we must come together, not just to voice our concerns, but to demand accountability and action. Kids' education should never be held hostage by indecision or bureaucracy." Future Forward Warman also posted a petition online imploring the City of Warman to support the regional joint-use school. As of May 18, it has 653 verified signatures. Warman councillors discussed the issue during an in-camera session at their May 12 meeting. A couple of days later, the city sent out a news release clarifying council's position. The release states that one of council's primary concerns is the financial impact of servicing a remote location, including the added costs of acquiring land, providing water and wastewater services, and installing gas and power servicing. This "significant and unnecessary expense," the release says, would be much higher than what could be achieved by working with existing development partners in Warman. The release also states council is considering the long-term implications of student transportation to a school outside of Warman, which raises concerns about accessibility, safety and daily commute times. "The priority of Warman city council is to make decisions that are in the best interest of Warman residents — not just for today, but for the future. Locating the new school within city limits ensures better integration with the community, safer and shorter transportation for students, and greater alignment with existing municipal infrastructure at a more efficient cost." The release ends by saying council will be exploring engagement opportunities for residents and stakeholders. Future Forward for Warman responded by pointing out that the proposed location for the school is not "remote," aligns with Warman's existing long-term regional growth plans, and could serve both Martensville and Warman students efficiently. The group further stated that in the last three years, no alternate site within Warman has been formally proposed, no independent studies have been published and no meaningful engagement has occurred with regional partners. "Instead, we have seen continued opposition to a well-researched, well-supported proposal that is ready to move forward. This lack of collaboration risks further delays to a project that our communities urgently need." The group later posted that their representatives have met with Warman MLA Terry Jenson, and he told them that for the project to move forward, letters of support must be obtained from all three municipal partners in the project, including Warman. Jenson also told the group that land agreements must be in place between the two school divisions and the RM of Corman Park, and municipal servicing commitments must be secured for the site.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dems aren't shying away from talking about 2028 presidential bids
Presidential contenders used to pretend they weren't running for president. Not anymore. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg suggested Tuesday he would 'assess' a potential campaign in 2028. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, already laying the groundwork for a national run, said he 'would consider' it. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, when asked by HBO's Bill Maher about why he was 'the guy' for 2028, touted his win record in a swing state, while Rahm Emanuel said he's 'in training.' Even former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo openly said she's weighing a presidential bid. For years, the run-up to the presidential primary has been marked by a wink-wink approach — defined by intense behind-the-scenes preparations and a public coyness about national ambitions. But the days of the shadow primary are giving way to a franker, more overt set of potential 2028 presidential primary candidates, many of whom are bluntly acknowledging they're taking a serious look at running — two and a half years out. 'People are smart to make their intentions known, or thinly veiled, because the days of playing coy are over. Everyone sees through that bullshit,' said Rebecca Pearcey, who advised Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren during her 2020 presidential campaign. 'I wouldn't be surprised if anyone out on the national circuit did announce at any point.' The campaign's jump start does not come without potential downsides. Contenders can catch a spark too early and flame out, or turn off voters with their ambition or pitch. But there is pressure on Democrats to start making moves now, with the lack of any clear frontrunner and a void in party leadership in a GOP-controlled Washington. It's not that denials are entirely absent from the landscape of potential 2028 contenders. Some politicians must navigate their own reelections in 2026, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who maintained he is 'not running' during an interview on ABC's 'The View' this month. Buttigieg, following up on his own 2028 comments later on Tuesday night and after a town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said, 'Right now, I'm not running for anything.' But the steps contenders are taking now are unabashed — even if they're still largely happening in private. Buttigieg was trailed during a visit to Iowa on Tuesday by a videographer from his political group Win the Era. Last week, he and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) posed for selfies and chatted up influencers at a four-day 'Trending Up' content creator conference in Washington, D.C., according to two attendees granted anonymity to describe a private event. Across the country, Beshear, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Emanuel, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, all addressed high-dollar donors at the Future Forward summit in California, according to a schedule obtained by POLITICO. Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, who kicked up his own 2028 speculation with a trip to battleground Pennsylvania this past weekend, told reporters that whenever 'any politician who's ever ran for Congress, Senate, governor' has demurred about whether they've thought about running for president, 'they're lying to you.' 'Of course, I've thought of it,' he added, before quickly noting he's not focused on 2028 now. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Moore both recently announced plans to speak in South Carolina, the Democrats' first-in-the-nation primary state, while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker lit up 'do-nothing Democrats' in a speech in New Hampshire last month. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) barnstormed the country, drawing record-breaking crowds for their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour, and Newsom popped his own TV ad, airing on Fox News last weekend, that amounted to a general election hit on President Donald Trump's tariffs. 'What's important to voters is honesty and authenticity, so if you're running for president, you're running for president. Why are you coming to South Carolina or going to New Hampshire, and you're not running for president? Come on,' said South Carolina state Rep. JA Moore. 'Don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining. Don't run for president and tell me you're not.' One reason contenders are embracing that advice is that there's heavy demand for anyone interested in testing the 2028 waters, longtime Democratic strategist David Axelrod said, as the party has sunk to record lows in public polling and struggled to effectively push back against Trump. 'There is no obvious nominee, so I think there are a whole bunch of people who are then thinking about it and wanting to be in the conversation,' Axelrod said. 'There's a lot of interest out there for Democrats, searching for a new leader … I wouldn't say it's desperation, but there's a thirst for new leadership among Democrats.' One former adviser to a 2020 presidential candidate, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said that in 2017, 'the base would punish you for being so explicit so early, and now, in this new information age, being yourself and answering the question is a better move.' 'You don't need to be cute about it,' the adviser added. Coupled with their public comments, potential 2028 candidates are still furiously working the inside game, too. Many contenders are meeting one-on-one with high-dollar fundraisers, attending donor summits and retreats as a part of the 'audition phase' of the primary, said one Democratic donor adviser, granted anonymity to describe private interactions. 'Donors are emerging from their hibernation after the 2024 loss, and starting to say, 'I'm going to start shopping for my next candidate,'' the adviser said. 'People aren't necessarily writing checks yet, but they're poking and prodding these candidates.' Moore, the state representative from South Carolina, said he's had 'a number of conversations with a number of interesting folks' he declined to identify, as contenders reach out to local elected officials in early states. But he did flag Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) as 'the person who's come around the most' and who is 'trying to build inroads with a lot of folks in the elected space.' Many have also taken to town halls, particularly in red congressional districts, to highlight their willingness to take their message to swaths of the country that have exposed their party's weaknesses in recent years. Gallego and Khanna both held town halls in Pennsylvania just in the last week. Walz did town hall stops in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, Ohio and West Virginia. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) joined Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for a town hall in Arizona last month. Some of these Democrats, frustrated by their inability to crack into more online spaces, are also trying their hand at content creation of their own. Newsom and Beshear both started their own podcasts this spring. Others are sitting for long-form interviews on other podcasts, like Booker and Buttigieg, who went viral on the 'Flagrant' comedy podcast. Buttigieg is also weighing whether to launch his own podcast, according to people close to him and granted anonymity to discuss private plans, and he has already launched a Substack list. Several factors are contributing to the Democratic primary's early start. There's the reality of the hole Democrats find themselves in — 'that unlike 2017, this doesn't feel like a fluke and the problem is no longer Trump, it's us,' said an adviser to a potential 2028 candidate, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly, adding that the party is on the hunt for someone to "make us better." 'That's the question that got this going earlier than ever,' the adviser said. A second adviser to a 2028 hopeful argued that the primary started as far back as 2022 and 2023, when Democrats were sizing up whether then-President Joe Biden was running for reelection. 'There was a lot of, 'I'll be a surrogate,' as an excuse to be in the early states,' the adviser said. There's also the harsh financial reality of presidential politics, which tend to require multimillion-dollar operations and national name recognition to break through to primary voters. The Democratic National Committee has not yet said how it plans to handle the primary debate process, but in 2019, candidates had to meet several thresholds, both on fundraising and polling, to earn a spot on the debate stage. 'If you've already made the decision to do it, why be shy about it? You're going to have to raise money, raise name ID, all of that, to execute an actual run and compete, and these guys still need to establish themselves on the national scene,' said a third adviser to a potential 2028 candidate, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. 'If you're doing it in 2027, you might be too late already.' Holly Otterbein, Adam Wren, Shia Kapos and Brakkton Booker contributed to this report.
Politico
15-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Dems aren't shying away from talking about 2028 presidential bids
Presidential contenders used to pretend they weren't running for president. Not anymore. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg suggested Tuesday he would 'assess' a potential campaign in 2028. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, already laying the groundwork for a national run, said he 'would consider' it. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, when asked by HBO's Bill Maher about why he was 'the guy' for 2028, touted his win record in a swing state, while Rahm Emanuel said he's 'in training.' Even former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo openly said she's weighing a presidential bid. For years, the run-up to the presidential primary has been marked by a wink-wink approach — defined by intense behind-the-scenes preparations and a public coyness about national ambitions. But the days of the shadow primary are giving way to a franker, more overt set of potential 2028 presidential primary candidates, many of whom are bluntly acknowledging they're taking a serious look at running — two and a half years out. 'People are smart to make their intentions known, or thinly veiled, because the days of playing coy are over. Everyone sees through that bullshit,' said Rebecca Pearcey, who advised Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren during her 2020 presidential campaign. 'I wouldn't be surprised if anyone out on the national circuit did announce at any point.' The campaign's jump start does not come without potential downsides. Contenders can catch a spark too early and flame out, or turn off voters with their ambition or pitch. But there is pressure on Democrats to start making moves now, with the lack of any clear frontrunner and a void in party leadership in a GOP-controlled Washington. It's not that denials are entirely absent from the landscape of potential 2028 contenders. Some politicians must navigate their own reelections in 2026, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who maintained he is 'not running' during an interview on ABC's 'The View' this month. Buttigieg, following up on his own 2028 comments later on Tuesday night and after a town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said, 'Right now, I'm not running for anything.' But the steps contenders are taking now are unabashed — even if they're still largely happening in private. Buttigieg was trailed during a visit to Iowa on Tuesday by a videographer from his political group Win the Era. Last week, he and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) posed for selfies and chatted up influencers at a four-day 'Trending Up' content creator conference in Washington, D.C., according to two attendees granted anonymity to describe a private event. Across the country, Beshear, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Emanuel, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, all addressed high-dollar donors at the Future Forward summit in California, according to a schedule obtained by POLITICO. Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, who kicked up his own 2028 speculation with a trip to battleground Pennsylvania this past weekend, told reporters that whenever 'any politician who's ever ran for Congress, Senate, governor' has demurred about whether they've thought about running for president, 'they're lying to you.' 'Of course, I've thought of it,' he added, before quickly noting he's not focused on 2028 now. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Moore both recently announced plans to speak in South Carolina, the Democrats' first-in-the-nation primary state, while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker lit up 'do-nothing Democrats' in a speech in New Hampshire last month. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) barnstormed the country, drawing record-breaking crowds for their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour, and Newsom popped his own TV ad, airing on Fox News last weekend, that amounted to a general election hit on President Donald Trump's tariffs. 'What's important to voters is honesty and authenticity, so if you're running for president, you're running for president. Why are you coming to South Carolina or going to New Hampshire, and you're not running for president? Come on,' said South Carolina state Rep. JA Moore. 'Don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining. Don't run for president and tell me you're not.' One reason contenders are embracing that advice is that there's heavy demand for anyone interested in testing the 2028 waters, longtime Democratic strategist David Axelrod said, as the party has sunk to record lows in public polling and struggled to effectively push back against Trump. 'There is no obvious nominee, so I think there are a whole bunch of people who are then thinking about it and wanting to be in the conversation,' Axelrod said. 'There's a lot of interest out there for Democrats, searching for a new leader … I wouldn't say it's desperation, but there's a thirst for new leadership among Democrats.' One former adviser to a 2020 presidential candidate, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said that in 2017, 'the base would punish you for being so explicit so early, and now, in this new information age, being yourself and answering the question is a better move.' 'You don't need to be cute about it,' the adviser added. Coupled with their public comments, potential 2028 candidates are still furiously working the inside game, too. Many contenders are meeting one-on-one with high-dollar fundraisers, attending donor summits and retreats as a part of the 'audition phase' of the primary, said one Democratic donor adviser, granted anonymity to describe private interactions. 'Donors are emerging from their hibernation after the 2024 loss, and starting to say, 'I'm going to start shopping for my next candidate,'' the adviser said. 'People aren't necessarily writing checks yet, but they're poking and prodding these candidates.' Moore, the state representative from South Carolina, said he's had 'a number of conversations with a number of interesting folks' he declined to identify, as contenders reach out to local elected officials in early states. But he did flag Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) as 'the person who's come around the most' and who is 'trying to build inroads with a lot of folks in the elected space.' Many have also taken to town halls, particularly in red congressional districts, to highlight their willingness to take their message to swaths of the country that have exposed their party's weaknesses in recent years. Gallego and Khanna both held town halls in Pennsylvania just in the last week. Walz did town hall stops in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, Ohio and West Virginia. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) joined Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for a town hall in Arizona last month. Some of these Democrats, frustrated by their inability to crack into more online spaces, are also trying their hand at content creation of their own. Newsom and Beshear both started their own podcasts this spring. Others are sitting for long-form interviews on other podcasts, like Booker and Buttigieg, who went viral on the 'Flagrant' comedy podcast. Buttigieg is also weighing whether to launch his own podcast, according to people close to him and granted anonymity to discuss private plans, and he has already launched a Substack list. Several factors are contributing to the Democratic primary's early start. There's the reality of the hole Democrats find themselves in — 'that unlike 2017, this doesn't feel like a fluke and the problem is no longer Trump, it's us,' said an adviser to a potential 2028 candidate, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly, adding that the party is on the hunt for someone to 'make us better.' 'That's the question that got this going earlier than ever,' the adviser said. A second adviser to a 2028 hopeful argued that the primary started as far back as 2022 and 2023, when Democrats were sizing up whether then-President Joe Biden was running for reelection. 'There was a lot of, 'I'll be a surrogate,' as an excuse to be in the early states,' the adviser said. There's also the harsh financial reality of presidential politics, which tend to require multimillion-dollar operations and national name recognition to break through to primary voters. The Democratic National Committee has not yet said how it plans to handle the primary debate process, but in 2019, candidates had to meet several thresholds, both on fundraising and polling, to earn a spot on the debate stage. 'If you've already made the decision to do it, why be shy about it? You're going to have to raise money, raise name ID, all of that, to execute an actual run and compete, and these guys still need to establish themselves on the national scene,' said a third adviser to a potential 2028 candidate, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. 'If you're doing it in 2027, you might be too late already.' Holly Otterbein, Adam Wren, Shia Kapos and Brakkton Booker contributed to this report.
