Stephen A. Smith Dismisses Presidential Ambitions, Criticizes Democrat Leadership
Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken ESPN commentator, has emphatically dismissed the notion of running for President of the United States, citing the lack of a clear Democratic frontrunner as the primary driving force behind his name being floated as a potential candidate.
In an episode of his podcast, Smith declared, "I want to put this to bed once and for all… I have no intentions of running for the President of the United States of America." While admitting that he hedged by saying he might consider a run if he had a "really, really good shot to win," he quickly dismissed the possibility.
Smith’s main criticism of the Democratic Party stems from its perceived lack of leadership and a clear path forward. "Let me tell y’all something, if you’re the Democrats, that is why Stephen A. Smith is in the news – because y’all don’t have anybody," he said.
He went on to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that her unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign and her current approval ratings make her an unsuitable candidate for 2028. He also questioned the viability of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressing support for Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, but acknowledging his lack of national prominence.
Smith’s dissatisfaction with the political system extends beyond the Democratic Party. He denounced the current state of affairs, where voters feel forced to choose between Democrats and Republicans as a "joke."
Regarding the possible return of former President Donald Trump in 2024, Smith expressed concern about the potential impact of his rhetoric and baseless claims of election fraud. He also noted that liberal donors have withdrawn support from Democrats due to Trump’s threats of retaliation and the party’s internal disarray.
Smith extended an invitation to Republicans to appear on his show, emphasizing his impartiality. "I’m not one-sided. See, this is why my name is in the election. I’m not in the news because I’m here!" he exclaimed.
He continued, "I’m in the news because the Democratic Party is here, way down low. Dammit, lower than that. Down to the bottom. They suck right now. Horrible. Because they don’t have a voice. Where the hell is the voice? That’s why Stephen A. Smith is a candidate," he said.
Despite his conservative policy stances on free market capitalism, border security, and national security, Smith acknowledged that he would likely be a moderate Democrat if he ever entered politics. "I’d still beat any Democrat out there right now, because who the hell is resonating with the American people?" he boasted.
Smith concluded by emphasizing his current contentment with punditry and commentary, but warned Democrats that they should hope he doesn’t change his mind.
Key Points:
- Stephen A. Smith dismisses presidential run, citing Democratic leadership crisis.
- Criticizes Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential candidacy and the lack of clear Democratic frontrunners.
- Denounces the current political system as a "joke" and invites Republicans to appear on his show.
- Expresses conservative policy views but suggests he would identify as a moderate Democrat if he ever entered politics.
- Warns Democrats that their current lack of a national messenger could lead to Smith reconsidering his decision.
