Democrats Face Internal Divide Over Future Strategy Following Midterm Success

At the "What's Next" post-midterm election conference in Denver, Democratic party operatives, strategists, and potential 2028 presidential candidates gathered to discuss the party's trajectory after years of political shadow cast by Donald Trump. While the atmosphere was celebratory, with events held at the Mission Ballroom and the Ritz-Carlton, a stark warning was issued on the main stage: voters are not yet fully won over.

Data expert David Shor cautioned that those who have not yet become Democrats must be persuaded before the next election. This sparked a debate over the party's direction. Some, like Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico and Iowa's incoming governor Rob Sand, suggested a more collaborative approach to fixing the country. In contrast, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a progressive and former co-chair of Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign, argued against the "triangulating" strategies of the Bill Clinton era, advocating for a more unapologetic progressive stance.

The event also highlighted tensions within the party. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced his challenge to Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced heckling from the audience. Outside the venue, protesters demanded the abolition of billionaires and criticized "do-nothing Democrats."

Behind the scenes, the focus shifted to the 2028 presidential race. Strategists discussed the potential impact of candidates like Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, noting Harris's strength among Black voters and the progressive energy surrounding Ocasio-Cortez. Other names mentioned included Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who discussed the opportunity to expand the electoral map, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, though some felt his prominence had slightly faded in these specific discussions.

Other notable attendees included Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, Pete Buttigieg, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherill. David Axelrod, a former advisor to Barack Obama, was also present. As the conference concluded amidst FAA ground stop delays at the airport, the party remains elated by its wins but faces a significant internal struggle to define its core beliefs and identity moving forward.