Ted Cruz Eyes 2028 Challenge to JD Vance, First Look at Mark Halperin’s “8 for 2028” Dem Rankings

Next Up with Mark Halperin

MK Media

News, Daily News, Politics

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 4 December 2025

⏱️ 70 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mark kicks off today’s episode with his signature reported monologue, unveiling new details about the emerging 2028 Democratic field — why some early frontrunners may not be as secure as they look, how donor behavior and coalition math are already reshaping expectations, and why Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro currently dominate the invisible primary. He also previews his upcoming “8 for 2028” Democratic rankings and the key test he believes will determine who’s truly competitive heading into next year. Then political heavyweights Melissa DeRosa and Ben Ferguson join the show for a fast-moving conversation about every major dynamic shaping both 2026 and 2028. They debate whether Trump’s economic reset can land with voters who still feel squeezed, why Democrats are struggling to generate fresh ideas, and how the left’s internal split over Israel could redefine the party’s politics. The trio also digs into Ted Cruz’s suddenly hot 2028 buzz — including why some Republicans now see him as uniquely positioned to take on JD Vance. Plus, they play Mark’s favorite game, Rapid Fire Round: 2028 “X-Factor” Edition, sizing up which Democrats could really be formidable in a general election. From Newsom and Shapiro to Moore, Beshear, Buttigieg, Rahm Emanuel, AOC, and Kamala Harris, they break down who has true national potential… and who doesn’t. Masa Chips: Ready to give MASA or Vandy a try? Get 25% off your first order by going to http://masachips.com/MARK and using code MARK. Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MARK and use code MARK to get our exclusive discount of up to 50% off. Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/mark and use promo code MARK to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty

Transcript

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0:00.0	News, news, news, news, news. It's a December full of news and we're just getting started. Welcome back. This is Next Up. I'm Mark Kalpern, Eddard and Chief of the Live Interactive Video Platform 2Way and your guide to everything that's next up in this, surprisingly, to some busy December of News. Very happy to have you year. We call those of you who watch this program,
0:21.6	I'll listen to it, Nexters, and we are proud to see the community of Nexters growing by
0:27.2	leaps and bands. Please tell all your friends, tell your enemies too. This show is for them.
0:33.1	Our guest today, Melissa de Russ, a Democratic strategist, Ben Ferguson, host the Begg Ferguson podcast and a co-host of
0:39.4	another podcast with a guy named Ted Cruz called The Verdict. Excited to talk to them about all the news
0:44.8	that's flooding our December inboxes and screens. But before they join us, my reported monologue on
0:51.1	halfway through my reporting on what's going on the Democrats and 2028 as they look
0:57.2	for a candidate some people will tell you it's too early to talk about no that's coming really fast down
1:02.6	the pike i'll explain to you why in my reported monologue about what's the Democrats thinking is
1:07.4	around 2028 that's next up up. Don't go away.
1:13.8	You chip person like me? If you're a chip person like me, what do you want in your chips?
1:17.5	You want them to taste delicious and you want them to be as healthy as possible. If you've ever
1:22.5	taken a look at the nutrition label on your typical bag of chips, here's where you're going to
1:25.8	find. It's going to be a chemical cocktail, stuff like seeds oil, MSG, artificial dyes, vague references to what are
1:32.6	called natural flavors and ingredients that sound like they could become from a science experiment,
1:38.2	not in a healthy snack. Now, Massa is redefining snacking with real food. Their chips basically just have three ingredients,
1:45.6	organic corn, sea salt, and 100% grass-fed beef tallow. That's it. Clean, simple, and tasty.
1:53.3	Massa chips leaves you satisfied and energized without that crash, any bloat or sluggishness.
1:58.4	No binging. No lingering hunger, just a snack that feels good.
2:02.6	They've changed my life.
2:03.5	It's all I eat now when I want a chip.
2:05.2	That's where I go to.
	...

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