Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan expressed that it’s premature for Democrats to discuss Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) potentially running for president in 2028, stating that the news cycle moves rapidly in President Trump’s Washington.
During an interview on NewsNation’s “On Balance,” host Leland Vittert remarked to Hasan, a left-leaning commentator, “Everyone” is reacting after the senator achieved new records this week with the longest Senate floor speech in history.
“Perhaps,” Hasan replied to Vittert, noting that he was “very impressed” with Booker’s endurance.
“As someone who studies rhetoric, I was genuinely impressed,” Hasan noted. “However, the reason I believe that people are getting overly excited is that we’re not even 100 days in, Leland.”
“Trump’s first term began less than 100 days ago,” he added. “Let’s take a breath.”
Hasan indicated that forecasting the political landscape in the upcoming months is challenging.
“Trump Year resembles Dog Years,” he stated. “We struggle to gauge time. Knowing what will transpire in July or November this year is one thing, but predicting November 2028 is another. Conditions are shifting rapidly.”
This interview takes place as Democrats reflect on their losses from the 2024 election and contemplate the best direction for future leadership within the party. Additionally, they face scrutiny for their passive response as President Trump advances his bold and controversial agenda, with some members, like Booker, opting for unconventional approaches to signify opposition.
While Hasan expresses hope that Booker will become the 2028 contender, he urges Democrats to concentrate on combating Trump’s current agenda.
“That’s the $64,000 question,” Hasan remarked when asked how Democrats identify leaders. “You see the left proposing various individuals. You see centrists endorsing candidates.
“However, fundamentally, that’s not truly vital,” he continued. “Potential candidates for 2028 are unrelated to the present. Right now, Donald Trump is reshaping constitutional norms, democratic principles, laws, undermining judicial integrity, foreign relationships, and harming the economy—action is required from the Democratic Party now.”
