Charles Barkley Issues Ultimatum to Democrats for 2028 Candidates
- Charles Barkley demands Democrats run Shapiro or Moore.
- He will not support any other Democratic candidates.
- Barkley openly criticises Trump, calls him not his “cup of tea.”
- Cory Booker gains support in new polling data.
- Ocasio-Cortez is speculated to be a leading candidate.
Barkley’s Support Hinges on Two Democratic Candidates
Charles Barkley is making headlines, not for his basketball skills, but for his strong political stance. The former NBA star and current TNT analyst recently laid down an ultimatum to the Democratic Party: he will only cast his vote for a presidential candidate if it’s either Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro or Maryland Governor Wes Moore. On the ‘Sports Illustrated Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina’, Barkley made his opinions clear, stating that he sees these two Democrats as the only candidates worth his support. “As an independent, if the Democrats don’t get Shapiro or Moore as their leaders, I wouldn’t consider voting for anyone else.” These comments underline Barkley’s dissatisfaction with the current political landscape and signal a potential shift in voter support.
Barkley Critiques Other Candidates in Sports Media
Barkley is not shy when expressing his feelings about other political figures. While he is all for Shapiro or Moore, he made it abundantly clear that he will never vote for President Donald Trump. He frankly declared that Trump is not his “cup of tea” and, besides, Trump isn’t even eligible for another run. This isn’t the first time sports personalities weigh in on presidential prospects; fellow sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has also hinted at interest in Moore and Shapiro as viable presidential candidates. However, Barkley was quick to dismiss the notion of Smith running for president, saying, “Calm down, Stephen A. … it started as a joke, and he took it seriously. Come on, man. All I’m saying is, knock it off.” Such lighthearted critique underscores the evolving dialogue around political candidacies in sports media.
Democratic Prospects and Polling Insights
As for the 2028 Democratic presidential race, discussions abound even if the primary season hasn’t kicked off yet. A recent Echelon Insights poll has placed former Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of potential nominees, even though she has seen a drop in support among voters – now at 28%. This reflects a 5% decline from the previous poll in March where her numbers stood at 33%. Harris has yet to announce a presidential run, although speculation suggests she might pursue a governorship in California instead. In the same poll, Senator Cory Booker has seen a surge of support from 2% to 11%, thanks in part to his notable filibuster against Trump’s policies. Notably, there’s also talk surrounding Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been rallying support against the perceived oligarchy of the Trump era. Poll analyst Nate Silver believes she is likely to make a serious attempt for the nomination in the upcoming elections, especially given her recent activities on the political scene.
In summary, Charles Barkley has set a clear ultimatum for the Democratic Party, insisting he will only support either Josh Shapiro or Wes Moore for the presidential candidacy. His open opposition to Donald Trump and critical remarks about potential candidates like Stephen A. Smith illustrate a shifting political dynamic. Meanwhile, polling data hints at potential frontrunners and emerging candidates for the Democrats in the 2028 election, notably Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, reflecting the evolving landscape as the race heats up.
