It’s not every day that a political crisis looks more like a red-carpet lineup than a campaign strategy meeting, but that’s where the Democrats find themselves.
After Donald Trump’s sweeping defeat of Kamala Harris in the last general election, the party isn’t just licking its wounds — it’s questioning its entire future.
Joe Biden, facing questions over his age, stepped aside for his younger vice president, hoping she could hold back another Trump term.
Instead, Harris was crushed across all seven swing states in what was supposed to be a nail-biting race.
Now, with Republicans holding the White House, Senate, and House, Democratic leaders are left wondering: who on earth do we put forward for 2028?
The Search for a Savior Begins
Behind the scenes, whispers are already circulating.
Potential contenders are quietly building their networks, making phone calls, and gauging whether the public would back them.
But according to a new DailyMail+ Power List based on exclusive polling, the Democrats may be in deeper trouble than they thought — especially if they’re counting on one of their own.
The survey measured likeability, trustworthiness, perceived bias, and knowledge across 29 big-name figures — 22 with direct ties to the party and seven others who’ve been floated as potential wildcards.
The results? Less a political hierarchy, more a Hollywood guest list.
A Hollywood Takeover
Shockingly, the first elected Democrat doesn’t appear until sixth place — and he’s far from the youthful, energizing figure the party needs. Instead, the top spots are dominated by celebrities.
Tom Hanks, 58, comes out on top as the most liked, most trusted, least biased, and most knowledgeable figure.
A lifelong Democrat who’s backed candidates for decades, Hanks is loved for his down-to-earth image.
But while fans have begged him to run for president, he’s never taken the bait.
Right behind him? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — the man Americans most want to hang out with.
Johnson came in second in almost every category and has teased political ambitions for years.
In 2023, he even admitted both parties had approached him after a poll found 46% of Americans would vote for him.
The Celebrity Contenders Continue
Third place goes to George Clooney, whose op-ed urging Biden to step aside was seen as the tipping point for the president’s withdrawal.
Mark Cuban and Oprah Winfrey round out the top five — both staunch Harris supporters during her failed campaign.
Interestingly, Oprah once explored a possible run herself, reportedly floating Republican Senator Mitt Romney as a running mate back in 2023.
But she’s since said politics isn’t “in her DNA.”
Where Are the Actual Politicians?
It’s only at sixth place that an elected Democrat appears — Bernie Sanders, 83, a progressive powerhouse known for railing against the establishment.
Sanders is still respected for his knowledge and honesty, but his age and staunch socialist label hardly make him a fresh face.
Other notable mentions include Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman (10th) and New Jersey’s Cory Booker (11th).
Booker grabbed attention earlier this year with a marathon 25-hour Senate speech attacking Trump’s policies.
Still, neither is breaking through as the clear future of the party.
Governors Josh Shapiro (10th) and Gretchen Whitmer (11th) — both seen as having presidential potential — landed mid-table, with Wes Moore of Maryland and Andy Beshear of Kentucky close behind.
Harris, Newsom, and the Struggling Left
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom — both considered 2028 contenders — ranked just 16th and 17th.
While Harris has ruled out a gubernatorial run, leaving the door open for another White House bid, Newsom has been upping his profile with podcast appearances and attacks on Trump’s use of power.
The progressive wing didn’t fare much better. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez landed in 24th place, just above Joe Biden, with fellow “Squad” members Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar finishing near the very bottom — Omar dead last.
A Party in Panic
For Democratic strategists, the poll is a wake-up call.
Former Biden adviser John McCarthy says it shows the public knows celebrities better than their own elected officials.
Meghan Hays puts it bluntly — celebrities look good because they’re not in power, while elected Democrats are losing ground for lack of visible action.
Others point to a cultural credibility crisis. Former Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates believes the key will be candidates who actually listen to Americans’ concerns about the cost of living and fight for working people.
But in Democratic strongholds, the mood is even darker.
Chicago operative Malcolm Weems says many Black voters feel ignored by the national party.
To him, the list is a snapshot of the past — safe bets for donors, not the future of the party.
The Bigger Picture
Rodell Mollineau, a partner at ROKK Solutions, summed it up: “There are a lot of angry and despondent Democratic voters right now.
They’re looking for the energy that meets the moment.”
And while the Power List started out ranking morning show hosts and sports analysts, this latest edition paints a sobering picture of a party struggling to connect with the very people it needs most — and, perhaps most awkwardly, losing the popularity contest to Hollywood.