The sudden power vacuum at the top of the Democratic Party has created a fresh competition to steer the Democratic ship through the political wilderness. A melange of contenders has emerged from across the Democratic sweep: Squad sisters, media mouths, graying senators, and motley liberal luminaries vie for the influence and notoriety that come with being “the face” of the party. 

To be sure, there was no shortage of signs that the Democratic Party’s coalition was fraying in the Biden era. The party’s activist base split with Democratic leadership on a number of fronts: over arms deals with Israel, the merit of law enforcement and borders, and the depth of commitment to gender ideology and the Green New Deal.