Ocasio-Cortez sees confidence in her White House chances grow

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Today's Top Stories - September 16, 2026

Today's Top Stories - September 16, 2026

Confidence is growing among some influential Democrats about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) prospects in the 2028 presidential race. 

The New York Democrat has quickly become one of the party’s most prominent voices, tapping into a surge of populist energy on the left while growing her following as Democrats search for a leader nearly two years after their crushing 2024 losses. 

Some Democrats are even drawing comparisons to former President Obama’s insurgent 2008 campaign — and the grassroots campaign that helped catapult him to the presidency. 

“If she raises her hand … the number of volunteers will be nothing like we’ve seen since 2007,” Robert Wolf, the longtime Democratic donor who hosted Obama’s first fundraiser in New York in 2007, said during a conversation on The Hill Insider’s Fight for 2028.

“The young people are going to come out in droves, and I think it would literally change the field overnight,” he said. “And if she doesn’t run, then it’s going to be a totally different race.”

“AOC has been really interesting to watch the last few months,” Wolf continued, using the congresswoman’s nickname. “I find myself interested in seeing what she says and does.”

Democratic strategists also say those in their party are taking notice of Ocasio-Cortez’s strengths.

“I think she has continued to show over the past few years that she has very sharp political and........

© The Hill