Emanuel: Being 2028 front-runner now would be ‘kiss of death’

Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said that deeming anyone as the 2028 Democratic presidential front-runner now would be the “kiss of death.”

Emanuel, who has been floated as a potential contender, made the remarks in an interview with Politico’s Jonathan Martin, who asked the former Chicago mayor, “Why the hell am I here talking to you?”

“So, here’s the thing. One is, both [former Presidents] Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were exactly where I am,” Emanuel said, referring to two of the last three Democratic presidents and two of his former bosses. “I wouldn’t want to be the front-runner right now for ’28. Not a chance.”

Martin asked why, prompting Emanuel to reply, “Because it’s a kiss of death. Ask every front-runner.” Martin pushed back, referring to former President George W. Bush’s front-runner status during the 2000 election.

“He was not the front-runner. He was tied at that point, him and McCain. That’s not true. And my father wasn’t president,” Emanuel continued, referring to former........

© The Hill