As Democrats reckon with their worst electoral showing in decades, the party has been left scrambling to find a new standard-bearer for the next presidential cycle in 2028.

Of course, few Democrats are giving Kamala Harris another look after her campaign burned through $1 billion in a failed attempt to stop Donald Trump from returning to the White House.

With Democrats pointing fingers over their disastrous defeat, a former Obama official, Brett Bruen, said Democrats must get their act together quickly and identify a new leader.

New Dem standard-bearer?

Jockeying for 2028 has arguably already begun, with Democratic governors such as California's Gavin Newsom and Illinois' JB Pritzker vowing to oppose Trump's second term agenda.

In an interview with The Sun, Bruen echoed many critics who say the Democratic party has lost touch with the nation. Bruen pointed to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). who rose up last year with support from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), as a way out of the morass.

"Hakeem Jeffries, if he is able to ascend to the speakership, is the clear next leader," Bruen said.

While some speculate that Harris could seek to regain a Senate seat in California, her political career is likely over, Bruen noted.

"I don't think, after the debacle of this week, you can make another run for the presidency," Bruen said.

Divisions erupt on the left

Trump's crushing re-election victory has left Democrats divided and locked out of power in Washington, with some blaming Joe Biden, saying he cost the party by seeking an unviable re-election bid.

Pelosi, widely credited with getting Biden to drop out, has blamed Biden, saying she would have preferred an open process to find another nominee.

Obama had also hesitated to endorse Harris, who quickly consolidated the Democrats behind her after Biden's endorsement.

Many argue the party's brand has been deeply damaged by the progressive, "woke" radicalism that Obama helped push on the country. The Obamas campaigned for Harris with a message that many criticized as condescending, especially to men.

Obama veterans like David Plouffe helped shape Harris' failed campaign, which pushed sweeping themes about "democracy" while voters were more concerned about the cost of living.

The Democrats could be looking at some long years in the wilderness. They need to rally behind a leader - but first, they will need to grapple with why the country rejected them in the first place.