Mark Kelly for President in 2028.

[Kingofalldems]

He's a winner.

This sham Pentagon investigation will put him at the top of the list.

[OLDMDDEM]

1. I agree he's a winner. Presidential candidate? I have to think about it.

[allegorical oracle]

2. I would seriously consider him. nt

[Kingofalldems]

5. He has no baggage that I know of

and of course he was an astronaut and a retired veteran.

[DFW]

42. So would he

It certainly hasn't been on his agenda.

[jfz9580m]

3. She's not even running..

But mock me all you want, I totally could see POTUS Lina Khan .

That would make those parasitic technofascist oligarchs shit bricks..

[Celerity]

9. She cannot be POTUS, she is not eligible.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Khan#Early_life_and_education

Khan was born on March 3, 1989, in London, to Pakistani immigrant parents. She grew up in Golders Green in the London Borough of Barnet. Her parents, a management consultant and an employee of Thomson Reuters, moved to the United States when she was 11 years old. The family settled in Mamaroneck, New York, where she and her two siblings attended public school.

[CTyankee]

18. That, and she's a woman and we can't have THAT!

Dreams die hard. I was overjoyed when I voted for Kamala, certain she could win.

Now I think we just cannot ever have a woman president and I am sick over it...

[Diamond_Dog]

28. Me too CTyankee

[jfz9580m]

21. Oh well

Dammit ;-/.

[Fiendish Thingy]

12. Kahn was the unsung hero of the Biden administration

I hope the next Dem president brings her back to the FTC.

[jfz9580m]

22. She really was

I am rarely enthusiastic about anyone and even I was thrilled by her. We have a lot of us in the rabble who think as I do. But it’s rare for someone to get into power and not disappoint and she didn’t.

She wasn’t entirely unsung and she was hated and feared by the technofascist cult.

[Srkdqltr]

56. This is a thread about Kelly. Who is Khan? What are you talking about.

Airheads.

[jfz9580m]

60. Oh well ;-/.nt

[pfitz59]

4. He has accomplished so much

President is an unlikely goal. Senator is a great job, especially when the Dems rake back control.

[DFW]

43. Mark is very busy with his re-election campaign in November, 2028

Last edited Mon Dec 1, 2025, 05:42 AM - Edit history (1)

So far, that is ALL he is concentrating on. If there are some powerful voices in the Democratic Party that want him, and prefer him as a candidate over other obvious prospects (Newsom, e.g.), they're keeping it to a very tight circle for now. Like so many others, I'm sure he would take the job, but I'm not sure he wants to go through the campaign necessary to get there.

[Ars Longa]

64. I would see him as a kind-of Truman/Eisenhower--"Let's get

back to Normal" kind of candidate.
Not sure where we'll be at in 2028 -
I like the notion of him running but, I'm not sure He or
Gabby want to go through all that..

[DFW]

69. They don't

But the presidency is a powerful siren song. That could change.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. And then we'd have Gabby Giffords for First Lady! Win win!

[KLK1972]

7. I think they must be REALLY scared of him to have singled him out this way!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

25. Yeah, and Kegsbreath and Pedonald are too fucking stupid to realize the shit storm they created.

Welcome to DU.

[DFW]

44. I quite agree there

This whole Mark-for-President thing seems to have sprung up from Republican attacks on him, and was certainly not his idea.

[Skittles]

54. good point

welcome to DU, KLK1972, it's about time you got here.....we need all the help we can get

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. lol good lord

[Ritabert]

10. I like him.

[JI7]

11. I like him but he is the type that doesn't like to "go low"

Newsom and Pritzker are the ones that will not hold back on going after the other side.

[DFW]

45. Accurate perception

That is a valid assessment of him. It is just not his style to stoop to their level. As Commander-in-chief, there's nobody better qualified among the current prospects, but he is so far above the street fighting level of the Republicans, it's just not a place he wants to go.

[LymphocyteLover]

58. he's also way too moderate to win the primary IMO

[Fiendish Thingy]

13. Not my first choice.

I’m sure he’s gonna run, along with a dozen or more others.

[DFW]

46. Don't be so sure

If he runs, it will be because he was pushed into it. He wasn't even thinking of it the last time I spoke to him, although, granted, that was a few months ago. Still, I have known him and Gabby for almost 20 years, and he is not one to toot his own horn--something a presidential candidate is almost forced to do these days.

[Fiendish Thingy]

63. He may not admit to you that he is even thinking of running

But it’s pretty clear somebody on his team has been thinking about a potential run, as evidenced by the subtle “trial balloons” emerging in the media, early polls, etc. Kelly strikes me as the sort of boss who runs a tight ship, and would not tolerate a staffer going rogue and talking him up as a potential contender.

Kelly’s name has been on numerous lists of potential candidates for 2028, and he has been included in a number of recent polls (which are worthless except for name recognition, but often serve as push polls that actually increase a potential candidate’s name recognition just by being included on a poll)

These things don’t typically happen organically, and are usually the by-product of “winking” denials by the potential candidate’s camp.

I get that Kelly has lots to consider before deciding to run, not the least of which would be does he want to subject his wife to a gruelling campaign.

He is a great asset in the senate, which is where I hope he decides to remain.

[DFW]

67. So far

So far that is his intention.

Of course, in politics, that could go 180° in a week, but it would still take a lot to change for that to happen.

[ms liberty]

14. No. Not yet. Let's win the midterms first, shall we?

[DFW]

47. I promise you, that is ALL that is on Mark's mind for now. n/t

[Arazi]

15. An outstanding contender. Put him in

[Halicarnassus]

16. Great potential candidate of many.

I like Beshear, Shapiro, Fetterman, Newsom, and Buttigieg, but as you can see… eh, I’m pretty undecided.

[DFW]

48. Fetterman?

I admire your audacity!!

[Keepthesoulalive]

77. Fetterman

Hard no.

[markie]

17. if

he was the candidate, I would vote for him.... however, better choices are out there

[Renew Deal]

19. Maybe

Depends on the field

[mr715]

20. He's complicated.

I have opinions. He had to be there for former Rep. Giffords and has been an impressive electoral force. But there is other stuff that makes me look elsewhere.

[Blasphemer]

23. He was my choice for Harris's VP nt

[DFW]

49. Mine, too

Mostly for selfish reasons, though. At the time, I had practically never heard of Walz, and was looking forward to having a guy I know personally as VP!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

24. He's ok, but I'm still rooting for Newsom or Whitmer.

And right now, I'd vote Newsom. I don't know that a woman can get the votes. Kamala should currently be our second female president, after HRC's eight hears.

[Gore1FL]

26. It's 2025. nt

[StarryNite]

27. I would definitely vote for him.

[ColoringFool]

29. Never Going To Happen. And Maybe I'm Little Ms. Superficial, But....

In America, visuals are much of the successful message.

Our candidate will be Gavin Newsom. The OG Outspoken Opponent of Trump.

[Blasphemer]

33. I suspect it will be a red state or swing state governor but Newsom will fight to the bitter end. nt

[RazorbackExpat]

61. I like a Newsom/Beshear ticket

Beshear's a decent Southern governor who appeals to red voters in his very red state. He could probably help to win not only Kentucky but also some other Southern states.

[hookaleft]

34. yes nt

[Skittles]

55. something that bothers me about Newsom

is who he used to be married to

[murielm99]

30. I suggested him earlier.

No one liked the idea then. We have such a deep bench that maybe we should keep him where he is. He is impressive in any capacity. Also, he might not want to put his wife through such a pressure situation. She is a miracle of survival, but she could be more fragile than we realize.

[DFW]

50. I have known Gabby since before she was shot

She is NOT fragile in spirit, and is a walking miracle considering what was done to her. Still, she is perfectly aware of her physical limitations. She DOES have a fabulous staff to help her. If she wants it to happen, she will not hinder Mark, but if she doesn't, Mark will absolutely give priority to her wishes.

[JustAnotherGen]

31. He'll be 'too nice' for the role

You have a core base who wants severe punishment - not coming together. We made a monumental mistake in 1877 - let's not do it again. Is he qualified? Absolutely. But does he have the vicious temper to bring enemies and traitors to our constitution to heel? Nope.

Black woman, liberal - - the 92%. You give us red meat we can sink our teeth into - you'll see numbers like Black Men and Women in NJ just gave Mikie Sherrill. She's singing our song.

So are Newsom and Pritzker. And they are in Blue States with nothing to lose. Given a choice between a go along to get along - or an in your face asshole?

I'll take the in your face asshole.

[tinrobot]

32. Nice guy, but not a lot of charisma.

Sorry to say it, but you have to attract and hold people's attention these days. Not sure how he gets over the top in what will be a crowded primary.

[Abolishinist]

35. Spot on.

We've attended a number of fundraisers hosted by one of Obama's top bundlers, who happens to live right down the street from us. The list includes Jamie Raskin, Adam Schiff, Cory Booker, Jen Psaki, Gretchen Whitmer, Nancy Pelosi, Pete Buttigieg, and more. (Also Katie Porter, don't get me started on her).

We also attended one for Mark Kelly, I forget when but maybe 1-1/2 years ago? And you're right... not charismatic at all. A good speaker, great that he's in the Senate, but no, he'd put most people to sleep.

[Boo1]

36. I don't know if he wants it

And he probably wouldn't be who I initially backed in the primary, but I could get behind him easy enough.

[Emile]

37. His Senate seat is also up for reelection in 2028. I prefer we keep that seat,

and select someone else in the party for president. That senate seat used to be Republican, and it wasn't that long ago.

[Autumn]

38. I'll wait on that.

[pinkstarburst]

39. I sure do like Kelly, but I worry he's not charismatic

enough. I really hope he stays in the senate, because we need him in Arizona. I think in the current media age, charisma and media presence and ability to work a crowd is just really important and that can't be overstated.

[DFW]

51. Yes, and what a shame THAT is

I think back to Angela Merkel here in Germany. She had the charisma of a pet rock, but was elected as Chancellor four times in a row here.

[Vinca]

40. I could easily support him. Gabby would be an asset, too. Maybe we'd finally get some action on guns.

[DFW]

52. That would be a given

The Republicans would rue the day that their golden boy was ever informed about Executive Orders.

[MineralMan]

41. While he is a possible candidate, it's too early to start on this, I believe.

[DFW]

53. Too early to concentrate on or obsess over

Not too early to casually ponder.

[LaMouffette]

57. Very, VERY unfortunately, we need a presidential candidate that Republican voters will vote for too. Why? Because

of all the Republican gerrymandering, voter suppression, and other such cheating that is almost certain to occur in the 2028 election.

This fact is disgusting, given that the Repubs can run any ole dumbass (George W.) or Satan's spawn (Rump) and get him elected (thanks for nothing, Electoral College), but we have to have run a one-in-a-million, superman candidate like Barack Obama (not that that many Rs voted for Obama, I guess hurting my argument here) to get across the finish line.

But I believe it's true: Because the 2028 election will be under severe attack, we need to beat the R candidate by having their R voters vote for our Dem candidate. I think many R voters are against Rump now for all that he has done. Now we just need to give them someone they will want to vote for, like Mark Kelly, war hero and astronaut.

As for charisma, I think, I HOPE, they have had all the charisma they can stomach from Rump and have realized that charisma can sometimes, and certainly in Rump's case, equal con artist.

So I vote Mark Kelly for president and Tim Walz for VP. And, of course, Gabby Giffords for First Lady.

[Emile]

62. Republicans DON'T VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS, PERIOD! Especially one

that made a video telling troops not to carry out illegal orders under Trump.

We need to keep that Arizona Senate seat. We don't need to be trying to win over Republicans.

[krawhitham]

70. Only 31% of voters are Republicans

https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/democratic-voter-registrations-decline-independents-surging-rcna213772

[Ping Tung]

65. The primaries of 2028 should be very entertaining.

Now, the man on the stand he wants my vote,
He's a-runnin' for office on the ballot note.
He's out there preachin' in front of the steeple,
Tellin' me he loves all kinds-a people.
(He's eatin' bagels
He's eatin' pizza
He's eatin' chitlins
He's eatin' bullshit!)

Bob Dylan

[BlueTsunami2018]

66. Nah, he's fine in the Senate.

Nice guy, American “hero” and all that but he’s too status quo, centrist capitalist for me. He’s a staunch opponent of universal healthcare. I won’t even get into the superficial things that matter to people.

[krawhitham]

68. Hard Pass

[gulliver]

71. He's at the top of my list, but the Party needs to improve its image

We need to be laser-focused and logical. Healthcare, affordability, immigration, AI benefits for all, sensible gun control measures like background checks, climate progress. We need our majorities back. The best way to fight for democracy is to make it work for the citizens of the country. And, by that, I mean we need to work for the vast majority of the people. Urban, rural, working- and middle-class. No more dying on dumb, ill-thought-out, guaranteed-to-backfire identity hills.

We need to win elections and not by just lazily hoping to squeak by on Trump disapproval.

[Keepthesoulalive]

79. We are not the ones pushing identity politics

It is the republicans. We need to stop blaming democrats for republican demagoguery. It does us no favors and legitimizes their bs.

[gulliver]

81. We've been doing it a lot less

Even in the 2024 election, Harris/Walz ran on unity and focused on core issues, not "victim/oppressor" hierarchies and so forth. The hangover from that stuff hurt them though.

I think you're right that Republicans are now doing a lot more identity politics, particularly their "fringe." But I think we could get a lot of their moderates, especially those who switched from Obama to Trump, if we lower the mic volume of the fringe of both sides.

[Keepthesoulalive]

82. The republicans won on Trans bathrooms

Deporting brown people ,DEI, and a host of other hateful things. They are eating cats and dogs. When the leopards come around they say it was supposed to hurt those people not me , they did not learn the first time because he hit the hate button harder and they fell for it again. Please place the blame where it belongs republicans since 1968.

[BannonsLiver]

72. He won't be at the top of my list, but I think he would be a strong candidate.

[maxsolomon]

73. He hasn't shown me the requisite charisma.

I don't know why he'd be the best candidate other than the Trump Admin is attacking him, but they attack anyone who dares cross them.

If he can win the nomination, I'm behind him. I'm behind anyone with a D behind their name.

[LudwigPastorius]

74. Solid candidate, but...

he's not exactly an Obama-level orator.

Plus, as superficial and inconsequential as it is, we haven't had a bald president since Eisenhower.

[MustLoveBeagles]

75. When Kamala was picking VP candidates

I was torn between Walz & Kelly. Just spit balling here but a Walz/Kelly or a Kelly/Walz ticket would be a great one. I want fighters.

[John Coktosten]

76. I'd vote for him

But....he has the charisma of a wet sponge. Don't see it happening.
😕

[J_William_Ryan]

78. "She cannot be POTUS, she is not eligible."

Another amendment to the Constitution needed – perhaps early next century.

As for Kelly, the toxic stupidity and willful ignorance of the voters combined with a failed democracy and an irreparably broken political process corrupted by state-level Republicans prevent me from getting excited about any Democratic candidate for president.

[MakeThemCry]

80. Let's not and say we did

How about we give centrism a rest for a couple of cycles?

[xmas74]

83. I doubt he'd do it.

He was on the short list for Veep in 2024 and declined, stating it wasn't a good fit for his family. He loves and adores Gabby far too much to put her through it.