Maggie Haberman of The New York Times explained why she believes Vice President JD Vance is currently the frontrunner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, with the race being his to lose.
Haberman Dismisses Rubio Shadow Campaign
During an appearance on CNN, Haberman pushed back against anchor Kasie Hunt's suggestion that a shadow campaign for the nomination might be underway between Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio has recently been given several high-profile assignments, including a meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
I don't actually think that Rubio is doing much to try to engage in a shadow campaign, said Haberman. I think whether the perception of that is there is a different issue. Clearly, there are a lot of people who would like to see Marco Rubio run. I don't know that he is among them and I certainly don't know that his family is among them.
Trump's Influence and Vance's Position
Haberman noted that it remains most likely Vance's race to lose because former President Donald Trump is still overwhelmingly popular among Republicans, even if his support is ticking down within the party. Vance is still an incredibly well-known figure, she added. He is much more popular with the base than almost anyone else I can think of who would be running right now. She also suggested Vance would likely attract significant donor money.
Vance's Fate Tied to Trump
Haberman acknowledged that Vance's fate is tied to Trump, saying his fate is tied to Trump, there's no question about that. She added, What is going to happen in the next couple of years will impact whether JD Vance becomes president in a theoretical 2028 general election. At the moment, he still appears to be the favorite for the nomination.
