Which Democrats are mounting the best response to President Trump and perhaps modeling how others should proceed in both the midterms and in 2028? In a round-table discussion, Frank Bruni was joined by Lauren Egan, who covers Democrats for The Bulwark, and Adam Jentleson, a former aide to Senators John Fetterman and Harry Reid, to size up a range of liberals, progressives and democratic socialists. Egan and Jentleson praised the Democrat drawing the most attention at the moment, Gavin Newsom, the California governor, but also saw promise in Democrats like Senators Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, as well as potential future stars like Abigail Spanberger, a candidate for governor of Virginia. After the discussion, I asked Bruni a few follow-up questions. Did anything surprise you about the discussion — for example, about what Democrats should be doing more (or less) of? I’m struck by the degree to which Democrats who aren’t wedded to certain advocacy groups recognize the party’s vulnerability — and its need to reorient itself — in terms of certain culture-war issues. Jentleson said that Democrats “still need to give people a reason to hope.” Did you come away feeling more hopeful? A bit more, in all honesty. It was yet another reminder that the party does have a bench, does have up-and-comers, does have competent, appealing governors. You all discussed the need for Democrats to be less uptight — to be someone you’d want to “have a beer with.” Who’s passing that test? I’ve had a beer with Pete Buttigieg. Enjoyed it — he’s a great talker — so I’d do it again. I’d hang with Big Gretch at a Michigan sports bar, ideally one with a good I.P.A. I’ve met but not raised a glass with Wes Moore. I’m thinking a Negroni then, just to mix things up. Read the discussion: Here’s what we’re focusing on today:
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