Ro Khanna previews ‘game plan’ to get ’20 years of progressive Democrats’ in office – Washington Examiner
rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) discussed his vision for a “progressive takeover” of the Democratic party ahead of the 2028 elections, attributing this shift to the influence of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Khanna emphasized the need for a more progressive base to counter the conventional centrist influence that has dominated the party for the last two decades. He noted that progressive candidates must mobilize and energize their supporters, referencing the active participation of Sanders’ followers in the 2020 elections. Khanna believes that the Democratic Party is nearing a tipping point where progressive lawmakers will outnumber centrists and reiterated his goal of establishing 20 years of progressive leadership, akin to the earlier era of centrist democrats under Bill clinton. Additionally, conversations about potential candidates for 2028 included humorous exchanges about Sanders’ age and the possibility of sports journalist Stephen A. Smith entering the political arena.
Ro Khanna previews ‘game plan’ to get ’20 years of progressive Democrats’ in office
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) suggested the Democratic Party‘s future will consist of “a progressive takeover,” which he credited Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for fueling ahead of the 2028 election.
The party is still seeking to regain its footing following the 2024 election cycle, and after it elected Ken Martin as its new Democratic National Committee chairman in February. Khanna suggested that the party is “very close” to consisting of more progressive lawmakers than centrist ones, citing how Sanders’s previous presidential bids were almost successful despite “fighting uphill” against “establishment forces” within the party.
“The game plan is to make sure that we have, just like you had Bill Clinton, we had 20 years of these centrist, corporate Democrats, to make sure you have 20 years of progressive Democrats,” Khanna explained on The Adam Friedland Show.
Khanna added that centrist lawmakers in his party have financial backing and name recognition, but that progressive candidates need “a progressive base energized and mobilized.” He noted how active Sanders supporters were in 2020 and that the voting bloc of progressive voters will expand ahead of the 2028 elections.
The comment led Friedland to joke that Sanders, currently 83, will still be “only” in his 80s when the 2028 election arrives. Khanna, however, claimed that Sanders would be president in 2028 if the Vermont senator were “10 years younger,” prompting Friedland to sigh.
Friedland, 38, also joked about possibly running for office, adding that he could be vice president with sports journalist Stephen A. Smith as president. Khanna said, “I like Stephen,” but noted that Friedman would first have to get Smith “to be progressive.”
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Smith’s possible 2028 bid has gained some traction since President Donald Trump won the 2024 election, though the ESPN host has mostly sought to tamp down this possibility. Smith has called himself “a fiscal conservative and a social liberal,” and said in April that he will “leave the door open for any possibility” of a presidential role.
Sanders, who previously ran in the Democratic Party’s presidential primaries in 2016 and 2020, was asked about possibly seeking the Oval Office again in 2028. He responded by saying he is “very happy” to be a Vermont senator, but noted that he is “83 years of age” and “tired.”
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