Vance or Rubio for 2028?
If Rubio doesn't lower himself too much, I could vote for him. But I think to win the nomination he'll have to lower himself, as that's what the Republican primary voters want.
Rubio has different vibes today than he did a couple years ago - he's now seen as a Trump ally, and he's competent at his job(s). He has more of a Reaganesque messaging style - optimistic, speaking of the greatness of America. Vance is smart, good debater, good at sparring with TV hosts, but he's not very charismatic. He's kind of an abrasive dork. I mean Trump is an ass but he's charismatic and funny.
Thoughts, PaRD? Honestly as far as chances I think it's 50/50. I'm not sure I could see someone else taking it - unless Tucker Carlson decides to run.
I've said before that anything more than ~3 months out from an election is irrelevant, and its pretty impossible to make accurate predictions a year away let alone two.
If I had to guess, I'd say that Rubio is clearly a more classical presidential candidate who built himself up as an electable politician and appeals to a swing state and the most critical swing demographic. And Vance representing a more populist Trumpian fringe would be expected to swing against the cyclical political tides which disfavor 'current trend' for 'future election', betting against the status quo. But, we're talking about 2028. Today the calculation might be our secretary of state against our vice president. In 2028 it might be president Vance running for re-election on a platform of quashing the coastal state insurgencies in an election with only 200ish total electoral college votes at stake. We don't know what the future holds, maybe Rubio will pour poison in Vance's ear and be haunted by his vengeful ghost. Maybe all your warnings will come true, Rubio and Vance will both be heads on pikes and I'll be a member of that insurgency fighting against Trump's 3rd term-as-emperor-for-life
This post was edited by Goomshill on Jun 5 2026 05:17pm