{"id":2569538,"date":"2026-02-13T05:25:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T10:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/munich-summit-becomes-early-stage-for-2028-democrats\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T05:27:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T10:27:56","slug":"munich-summit-becomes-early-stage-for-2028-democrats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/munich-summit-becomes-early-stage-for-2028-democrats\/","title":{"rendered":"Munich summit becomes early stage for 2028 Democrats"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmunich-summit-becomes-early-stage-for-2028-democrats%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2569538&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Munich Security Conference is emerging as an unofficial staging ground for Democratic contenders seeking 2028 presidential momentum, using the event to sharpen national-security credentials, broaden international profiles, and reassure European allies amid Trump-era volatility. Notable Democrats expected to appear include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen.Ruben Gallego, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who are poised to present foreign-policy visions and position themselves as counterweights to President Trump. Ocasio-Cortez plans to bring a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/from-poverty-to-politics-missouri-moms-memoir-adds-working-class-perspective-to-trump-era-gop\/\" title=\"From Poverty To Politics, Missouri Mom\u2019s Memoir Adds Working-Class Perspective To Trump-Era GOP\">working-class perspective<\/a>, tackling populism and pushing back against billionaire influence on international policy by speaking on panels about populism and the future of U.S. foreign policy.secretary of State Marco Rubio will be among the highest-ranking U.S. officials in Munich,defending policies that have unsettled some allies,as Democrats aim to demonstrate competence on global issues while signaling a possible alternative to Trump\u2019s approach. The piece notes that, despite the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tim-graham-liz-cheney-the-gops-joan-of-arc\/\" title=\"Tim Graham: Liz Cheney, the GOP&#039;s Joan of Arc?\">high-profile stage<\/a>, it remains uncertain how much momentum such appearances will translate into early primary contests like Iowa or New Hampshire. Analysts warn there is political risk: foreign-policy optics may not resonate with voters who are more concerned about affordability, immigration enforcement, and domestic security. Munich is portrayed as a chance for Democrats to showcase international leadership and contrast their approach with Trump\u2019s, even as observers debate whether the spotlight abroad will translate into domestic electoral support.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Munich summit becomes early stage for 2028 Democrats<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2023003\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/securityconference.org\/en\/msc-2026\/\">Munich Security Conference<\/a>, kicking off Friday, is quickly emerging as an unofficial stop on the Democratic <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\">2028 primary<\/a> tour.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The annual gathering of world leaders and defense officials is drawing a slate of ambitious <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a> eager to sharpen their national security credentials, expand their global profiles, and project steadiness to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/europe\/\">European<\/a> allies wary of America&rsquo;s political volatility.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4456840\/exclusive-dccc-ad-buy-asian-americans-lunar-new-year-2026\/\">Democrats launch Lunar New Year ad blitz to counter Trump inroads with Asian Americans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4456996\/newsom-visit-new-hampshire-2028-run\/\">Newsom to visit first primary state New Hampshire as he weighs 2028 run<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4456871\/karrin-taylor-robson-exits-arizona-governor-race\/\">Trump-backed candidate exits Arizona governor race, setting up battle between two GOP reps<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is seen during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo\/Markus Schreiber)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It&rsquo;s a high-profile stage, but whether it translates into momentum in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\">Iowa<\/a> or <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-hampshire\/\">New Hampshire<\/a> remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<p>Among those scheduled to appear are Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA), Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ruben-gallego\/\">Ruben Gallego<\/a> (D-AZ), Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez\/\">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/a> (D-NY), and Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a> (D-MI). The Democrats, all possible 2028 presidential contenders, are expected to insert themselves into international and political conversations in a way that increasingly resembles a shadow presidency and a direct counterweight to President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ocasio-Cortez is set to bring a &ldquo;working-class&rdquo; perspective to the summit. The <em>Washington Post<\/em> reported she plans to challenge the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/2026\/02\/12\/munich-aoc-rubio\/\">influence of billionaires and corporate interests<\/a> on international policies she sees as harmful to everyday workers. She will speak on two panels: one on the rise of populism and another on the future of U.S. foreign policy.<\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\">Marco Rubio<\/a> will be the highest-ranking U.S. official in Munich, tasked with defending Trump&rsquo;s policies that have rattled U.S. allies, including the purchase of Greenland, the imposition of arbitrary, punitive tariffs, the war in Ukraine, and making Canada the 51st state. Last year, Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\">JD Vance<\/a> stunned the audience after sharply criticizing Europe&rsquo;s migration and free speech policies. He also warned that the continent&rsquo;s greatest threat comes from within.<\/p>\n<p>Newsom told reporters this week that he will speak about trade and jobs. He will also tell foreign leaders that &ldquo;California is a stable and reliable partner.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Newsom gained international attention last month at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-economic-forum\/\">World Economic Forum<\/a> in Davos, Switzerland, when he openly mocked and criticized the president and his delegation. Newsom&rsquo;s Davos blitz quickly escalated into an international proxy fight with Trump. Newsom <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4425167\/newsom-rants-european-leaders-rolling-over-trump-handing-out-crowns\/\">scolded European leaders<\/a> for capitulating to Trump and even waved around red kneepads, saying of the president, &ldquo;You either mate with him, or he devours you.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Newsom also attended the 2025 United Nations <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-energy\/3897502\/daily-on-energy-uk-critical-mineral-plans-thanksgiving-weather-cop30-final-deal\/\">Climate Change Conference<\/a> in Brazil, where he sought to play the global statesman and bypassed Washington to engage directly with world leaders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Similar scenarios could unfold in Munich, as the Democrats, ready to vie for the White House, plan to present an alternative to Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/three-republicans-vote-against-resolution-that-could-call-for-american-troops-in-russia-conflict\/\" title=\"Three Republicans Vote Against Resolution that Could Call for American Troops in Russia Conflict\">interventionist foreign policy<\/a> and to demonstrate their readiness to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >assume greater global leadership<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Munich is quickly becoming an early audition stage for 2028,&rdquo; Republican strategist Erin Maguire told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;Modern Democratic primary maneuvering looks less like Iowa diners and more like international backdrops.&nbsp;For governors like Newsom and Whitmer in particular, foreign policy is the resume gap. A conference like Munich gives them a global setting to project seriousness on Ukraine, China, and NATO without having to own the day-to-day consequences of those policies.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democratic political strategist Garry South believes &ldquo;anything a Democratic candidate for president can do to demonstrate they have chops on the international front is a positive, particularly&nbsp;in the current context, when Trump has made such a hash of America&rsquo;s relations with the rest of the world, including alienating and insulting our longtime allies.&rdquo;&nbsp;South added that Newsom &ldquo;certainly made some waves at Davos.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Joe Caiazzo, the former New Hampshire state director for Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\">Bernie Sanders&rsquo;s<\/a> (I-VT) 2020 presidential campaign, said it was the Democrats&rsquo; due diligence to go to Munich to represent the country following negative comments Trump has made about Europe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is no surprise to see Democratic leaders and potential 2028 hopefuls head to Munich as one of the primary responsibilities of the next president will be to repair our global reputation and relationships,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Jeff Burton, founding partner at Maven Advocacy, also believes Munich could be an ideal platform for Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Considering all of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> somewhat controversial&nbsp;engagements in foreign policy, most recently at Davos, Democrats need to burnish their credentials and provide contrast to their base,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The Munich Conference is a great microphone to do just that. What remains to be seen is how much American voters will care come the 2028 primary season.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-memo\/4430181\/gavin-newsom-trolling-doesnt-stop-waters-edge\/\">BYRON YORK &mdash; GAVIN NEWSOM: TROLLING DOESN&rsquo;T STOP AT THE WATER&rsquo;S EDGE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Maguire warned that there is political risk for Democrats and that their involvement could backfire.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;American voters have repeatedly signaled skepticism toward global elite gatherings that feel disconnected from everyday economic realities at home,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Part of President Trump&rsquo;s victories were built in part on rejecting that worldview. So the question isn&rsquo;t whether this helps them with party donors and foreign policy insiders but whether standing on a stage in Munich actually translates to credibility with voters who care more about affordability, immigration enforcement, and security than conference optics.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Munich summit kicks off 2028 Democratic bid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2569539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26020477384794.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[11331,3685,17921,5894,7778],"class_list":["post-2569538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-11331","tag-democrats","tag-munich","tag-politics","tag-summit"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26020477384794.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2569538"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2569542,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569538\/revisions\/2569542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2569539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2569538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2569538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2569538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}