Democrats “Shaping Up” for 2028 Presidential Run
In a time-honored tradition Democrats eyeing the White House in 2028 are losing weight and getting complete makeovers.
According to the pundits these “upgrades and makeovers” by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin and others are a sure sign that the pre-primary has begun.
Presidential candidates have carefully curated their physical appearances since the early days of TV, and social media has meant they need to be more camera-ready than ever. Chris Christie got lap band surgery before his 2016 presidential campaign. Jeb Bush lost so much weight on the Paleo diet in that cycle that he had to buy a new wardrobe — and it sparked concerns about his health. Hillary Clinton spent tens of thousands of dollars to enhance her clothing in that campaign.
The challenge for candidates is to look their best, but also down-to-earth. “You’re not running for the cover of GQ, you’re running for a political office,” said Derek Guy, the editor of “Put This On” and a popular writer on men’s fashion.
Here is snapshot of the latest Democratic candidate makeovers.
1. Getting in shape
- Even President Trump has noticed: Pritzker has lost weight this year. The Illinois governor opened up about his fitness journey with an NBC station in Chicago. “I have kids I want to be around for,” Pritzker said, noting that he now walks about five miles each morning.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who embarked on a national tour this year after his 2024 loss with Vice President Harris, has slimmed down. He stepped up his running routine, an aide told us, and trained for a 10-mile race with his daughter this summer.
2. Improving their style
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, another potential 2028 candidate, actually began his makeover around 2022, when he was first elected governor. Before then, many of his outfits were dated, Guy said. “It looks like clothes that you bought in the ’90s and just held on to them,” he told Axios while looking at Shapiro’s official portrait from several years ago. “A charcoal pinstripe suit is very, very formal looking. It’s historically considered a business fabric, especially for bankers.” Now, Shapiro’s suits are more tailored and modern, but not flashy. He sometimes ditches a tie and swapped out his old glasses for a trendier, rectangular pair, and often wears sneakers.
Guy did approve of one potential 2028 candidate’s fashion: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frontrunner in early Democratic polls. “I think he dresses pretty well,” said Guy, who was particularly complimentary of Newsom’s ties. “He gets the knot right. He does a very small forehand knot, and he ties it with a dimple. And he buys very high-end ties.” But Guy said Newsom might be too stylish for some voters.
Despite the potential pitfalls, there’s a reason presidential candidates carefully shape their appearance as they gear up for campaigns. At a time when candidates have to navigate a hyper-fragmented media environment — going from shooting a direct-to-camera video for social media one minute to sitting for an hour-long podcast interview the next — Democratic strategists say there’s more pressure than ever to perfect a candidate’s image.
However, the also warn that voters value authenticity, and over-managing a candidate’s appearance carries risks.
Six upcoming losers for Dunger to whine about when they get beat Mayor Pete will probably be the front runner because the democrats are the party of queers.
Sethieatsdung: Uh, can’t you even wait until I post before you wimp and whine about me?
Are you drunk again. In front of the kids?
And I thought I needed to get a life, loser. Thanks for showing that I am not the last man, you’re knickers are so knotted that I seem to be all you can think about. Dung here, Dung over there. Dung in the morning, dung at night. Let’s face it, you are completely full of dung. Live it, wallow in it, love it, suck it.
I got two fires going, ghostbusters 24/7 on the screen, dinner’s in the oven, so fuck off and merry christmas.
Larry, taking it ez on xmas with a fluff piece summed up as “no duh.” As I read, I smiled. Thanks and I am sure this phenomena is bipartisan. Like Trump painted his hand or hiding his ankles, sitting while others stand and catching beauty naps 24×7. The best is him sleeping at the wheel when people are talking directly to him. Like Gerald Ford pratfalls, never gets old.
I like Newsome but a bit slick n shiny, not quite sure you can believe what he says, CA don’t play well in many places, and frankly, he picks fights but doesn’t seem to finish them well. Newsome always looks good, speaks well, but let’s face it: a draw with DeSantis is a loss; the international PR stunt was a flop, he picked a fight with Trump over the military takeover, but couldn’t egg him into the ring, just a slap fest over the internet.
Between us, while Pete is great, I really think we need a new Party leader to rise out of the fog to lead all of us forward. Frankly, a Mamdani character without the Muslim stigma. You guy will play dirty, we need a fighter, but a clean fighter (unless he does not get caught playing dirty, Bill Clinton was the best), who stands for all of us, the Constitution, and not his own needs.
We say the power corrupt Joe who stayed way-too-long at the show, and his appointed successor he did not mentor or even help much. We see Trump try to become King changing the powers of the President forever, in a bad way. I want George Washington, FDR, Lincoln, or Bill Clinton in a modern package.
Pritzker does fight well, but as many say, too fat for the Presidency in today’s America. He would be fine by me. He will never be trim. Christie was fun to watch, his lap belt was on extra-slow and his new suits came in extra fast so he always looked like everything fit and he was not having hanging flabs. Must have cost a bunch. Too bad it did not stick.
Walz — come on, shouldn’t he be off the list already? I like him, but again, fighter? Not in a debate for sure. Who cares, he’s done nationally unless appointed.
Mayor Pete — He’s my guy, but gay, and sorry to say that might not play yet across the land. I doubt he will do much, he’s in good shape, except maybe buy more plain, unremarkable suits. He’s the real deal in my book: smart, really smart, religious, served in active duty, successful mayor, transportation secy, seems a very stable marriage, and always says the most perfect things, naturally, often so insightful almost like a founding father. I liked him in the first run.
Kelly is great but stay in Congress please.
Shapiro is still an unknown nationally.
I like Beshear, but like Kelly, really like him where he is.
All democrats should be deported. Including Dunger.
Fredung: What would ever make you think that deporting half the country will make your miserable life better?
I mean it’s the day after Christmas, I honestly wrote how I feel about possible Democratic candidates, you get up, read it, and decide you must unleash on me, calling me Dunger when you know it’s danger, and making yourself feel better by telling the world you want to deport me, I guess to feel better?
You do know that at the first and second Continental Congresses with our esteemed Founders that they debated many of the same issues that we debate today, with factions forming just like the factions today.
Or are you really that stupid, that angry, that you just must cry out to the world: DEPORT HALF OF AMEERICA cuz I said so.
Well, cry me a river.
Ok Mr. Danger. Point taken. But we must continue to MAWA.
Fred; thank you for that, gives me hope. did u mistype or do you mean white. Cuz America was always red, white, brown, and black, and that’s what makes “all men created equal” and us, the very best.
And Fred, I take my name calling back. Sorry, you deserve the apology.
Not white Mr. Danger. Wealth. As long as people get it honest