Politico: Some Republican lawmakers want Secretary of State Rubio to run in 2028
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he won't talk about 2028, and Trump says in a '60 Minutes' interview he may not endorse.
Republicans lost control of both and the in the elections, and talk about who will lead the party in 2028 has widened. Politico reports, from interviews with roughly two dozen lawmakers, that a growing number want Secretary of State Marco Rubio to run. According to Politico, one group of them sees Rubio as a better fit because voters may keep linking Vice President JD Vance to Trump's low popularity.
Politico also reports that Vance still has backers, including Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana. Rubio told reporters in France on Monday he is "just not going to talk about 2028 anymore." A person close to him told Politico he is fully focused on his jobs.
Trump said in a CBS "60 Minutes" interview that he may or may not get involved in the primary, adding that maybe he is better off staying out. Fox News reports Vance still leads many early primary polls. Vance blamed the Iran war for the losses in a post on X. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis denied a report that he is planning a run.
Chris Christie, a vocal Republican critic of the president, says he will decide within months.
- roughly two dozenGOP lawmakers interviewed by PoliticoPolitico
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Liberal2 outlets
Republican lawmakers weighing Rubio over Vance after losses
Politico leads with a "Draft Marco" effort among Republicans on Capitol Hill, built on interviews with roughly two dozen GOP lawmakers. Rep. Marlin Stutzman says of Rubio, "I hope he runs." Another House Republican hopes Rubio breaks from Trump and Vance early next year.
Politico also gives Vance's side: Sen. Jim Banks says, "If JD runs, he has my full support." It notes Rubio's own words that he will not discuss 2028, and that a person close to him says he is focused on his jobs. Vance closes the piece with a joke about the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Al Jazeera English takes a different angle. Its talk show with host Steve Clemons features former Rep. Tom Garrett, who argues the party lost because "they made a crap ton of promises" and kept none. The episode also covers affordability, , the Iran war's effect on living costs, the Epstein files and immigration.
- Politico: ‘Draft Marco’ effort grows on Capitol Hill after midterms bloodbath
- Al Jazeera English: What’s next for US Republicans and Trumpism?
Center1 outlet
A call for Republicans to embrace diversity
The Hill carries an opinion column by Joslin Joseph, written after the midterms. In Joseph's view, Republicans will not reach the diverse voters they court before 2028 unless the party rids itself of what the column calls nationalist and fascist elements.
Conservative2 outlets
Trump's hands-off signal and the widening 2028 field
Fox News leads with Trump's "60 Minutes" answer on endorsing in the 2028 primary: "Probably, not necessarily." It adds his repeated praise for the party's "great bench." Fox then profiles possible contenders.
It quotes Cruz calling the midterms a "blue tsunami" and DeSantis calling them "close to an extinction-level event." It cites Christie saying "The Trump era is over." It notes Rubio's refusal to discuss 2028 and Vance's lead in many early polls.
The Dispatch podcast, hosted by Steve Hayes with Jonah Goldberg, Michael Warren and John McCormack, discusses how the Trump administration is responding to the defeat. Topics include Stephen Miller as chief of staff, Ron DeSantis and who may carry the party's future after Trump.
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All sources: 5 articles from 5 outlets
Liberal (2)
- Al Jazeera English: What’s next for US Republicans and Trumpism?
- Politico: ‘Draft Marco’ effort grows on Capitol Hill after midterms bloodbath
Center (1)
- The Hill: We want your vote, but we don’t want you: Republicans failed on diversity yet again (opinion)
Conservative (2)
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