The Democrats are reeling after the 2024 elections results. But former President Obama is already scheming for the next cycle.
Because Obama is secretly pulling the strings for the massive 2028 elections according to new reports.
Obama’s Cronies Push Pete Buttigieg Toward 2028 Presidential Bid
In a calculated move that reeks of Barack Obama’s lingering influence, Pete Buttigieg announced on Thursday, March 13th, that he’s turning his back on Michigan’s open Senate seat. Sources close to the former Transportation Secretary claim this decision, revealed to a select few, is less about serving the people of Michigan and more about positioning him as the Obama circle’s golden boy for the 2028 presidential race. The stench of political maneuvering is unmistakable as Obama’s old guard scrambles to prop up their handpicked successor.
Buttigieg’s allies—many of whom owe their careers to Obama’s machine—paint this as a brilliant chess move, arguing it sets him up perfectly to chase the White House. They conveniently gloss over the grueling reality of running back-to-back campaigns in 2026 and 2028, suggesting that abandoning the Senate bid was the only way to keep his presidential dreams alive. It’s a flimsy excuse, one that exposes the Obama clique’s desperation to keep their man in the game, no matter the cost to Michigan Democrats.
Just recently, Buttigieg admitted he’d been “looking” at the Senate race, even cozying up to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to weigh his options. But with Democrats fighting tooth and nail to cling to the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters in a key swing state, Buttigieg’s abrupt exit feels like a betrayal. Republicans, licking their chops after nearly snagging Michigan’s other Senate seat last cycle, must be thrilled to see Obama’s protégé leave the field wide open.
After four years of jetting around as Biden’s Transportation Secretary, Buttigieg hauled his young family back to Traverse City, Michigan, supposedly to settle down. Yet, insiders whisper that the exhausting travel and the looming grind of another campaign tipped the scales. It’s a convenient narrative—family man steps back for his kids—but it’s hard to buy when you consider how neatly it aligns with Obama’s long-term playbook.
BREAKING: Pete Buttigieg is expected to seek the 2028 presidency and announce that he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, per POLITICO. pic.twitter.com/x8Xw1PNd5R
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) March 13, 2025
Before ditching the Senate idea, Buttigieg also nixed a run for Michigan governor, despite polls showing he’d have crushed the primary. David Axelrod, Obama’s former campaign guru and a mentor to Buttigieg, couldn’t resist chiming in. “The hardest decision in politics is to pass on a race you have a very good chance to win,” Axelrod said, practically patting himself on the back for steering his protégé away from a sure thing.
“Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run. But had he won in ’26, it would almost certainly have taken him out of the conversation for ’28. This certainly keeps that option open. Beyond that, I have a sense that he wanted to spend more time with his family, and with people in communities like his, where the conversations and concerns are so different than the ones you hear in the echo chamber of Washington.” Translation: Obama’s inner circle decided 2028 matters more than Michigan’s needs.
The fallout from Buttigieg’s decision leaves Michigan Democrats in a lurch, especially after Trump’s victory in the state last November. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Rep. Haley Stevens are now scrambling to pick up the pieces, with McMorrow announcing her candidacy and Stevens staffing up for a potential run. Meanwhile, Buttigieg’s camp spins this as a selfless act.
“He wanted to decide quickly enough to give other folks a chance to mobilize if they wanted to run,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who chatted with Buttigieg as he mulled his options. “He handled it responsibly. He’s a rising star in the Democratic Party.” Responsible? More like a calculated dodge orchestrated by Obama loyalists.
Now, Buttigieg’s sights are firmly set on 2028, where he trails only Kamala Harris in early polling—another Obama darling who’s flirting with a California governor bid. With a hefty $15 million raised for the Harris-Walz campaign last year, Buttigieg’s fundraising prowess keeps him in the good graces of the party’s elite, a machine Obama still quietly oils. But his baggage from Biden’s floundering administration could drag him down, even if his knack for chasing voters in unconventional corners might give him an edge.
As he gears up, Buttigieg’s suddenly everywhere—popping up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, hosting a Bluesky Q&A, and chatting with Paul Rieckhoff on Instagram about Elon Musk and VA cuts. “We need you now more than ever,” Rieckhoff gushed, practically begging him to run. It’s a full-court press, and the Obama fingerprints are all over it. This isn’t about Buttigieg’s vision for America—it’s about Obama’s crew clinging to power, shoving their chosen one down the party’s throat for 2028, consequences be d*mned.
The Conservative Column will keep you updated on any major developments ahead of the 2026 & 2028 election cycles.
