AOC 2028: Carville Says She Has No Shot—But She Hasn't Ruled It Out

The 2028 race hasn't officially begun—but the jockeying for the White House is already underway. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a key leader of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, recently told Politico: “I mean, I can’t say that I’ve ruled it out.” That single sentence, delivered during a Michigan campaign swing for Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, has fueled speculation that she is laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid.

Ocasio-Cortez's remarks came as she was questioned about her lack of endorsement for Michigan House hopeful William Lawrence, who has drawn criticism for remarks about Black political leaders. She explained that endorsements require careful consideration of a candidate's overall record. “That doesn’t mean that not endorsing in a race is rejection by any means, but I think that me choosing to enter a race has a high bar because of—I put a lot of energy into every candidate that I endorse,” she said.

There has long been speculation that Ocasio-Cortez will make a bid for the presidency in 2028. But not everyone is convinced she can win. Veteran political strategist James Carville, the architect of former President Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 White House bid, argued that the “Squad” congresswoman’s politics are too far-left for Democratic presidential primary voters, who have historically backed more moderate candidates.

“Let me say something very clearly: The Democrats — not even in ’72 — never nominate the most liberal candidate,” Carville said during an appearance on the “Greta Wire” podcast. “But that’s the fantasy of the right wing, that the Democrats are going to nominate a socialist, urbanist, whatever.”

Carville praised Ocasio-Cortez’s political instincts and her work on Capitol Hill. “I think AOC is remarkably talented, let me be very clear about that. Her staff work is pristine,” he told host Greta Van Susteren. But he seemed convinced she wouldn’t even attempt a presidential run. “She’s not gonna run for president because she’s not gonna have any chance.”

Carville noted that Black voters in southern states, like South Carolina, play an outsized role in determining the party nominee because of the Democratic presidential primary calendar. “Remember who decides who the Democratic nominee is, and that is Southern Blacks,” Carville said. “And I got news for you: They’re not that liberal.”

For now, Ocasio-Cortez is keeping her options open. The 2028 race hasn’t officially begun, but the jockeying for the White House is already underway. Whether she can overcome the skepticism of figures like Carville and build a coalition that includes both the progressive base and the Southern Black voters who decide the primary remains an open question.