Is ESPN host Stephen A. Smith actually considering making a run for the White House?
Smith generated internet buzz earlier this month after he floated the idea of entering politics during a podcast episode. Smith, a sports analyst who frequently comments on politics, joined former President Barack Obama’s advisor to discuss the state of the Democratic Party on Tuesday’s episode of the “Pod Save America” podcast.
Tommy Vietor, a former spokesman for Obama, asked Smith about online chatter of him potentially throwing his hat in the ring for the White House. Smith reiterated that he has no interest in becoming a politician and said he would only consider running for office “if the country was in a bad place” and he was “favored to win an election.”
“So again, for me, personally, with what I have going on in my life, with how happy I am, with the fact that I’m more interested in me remaining a pundit and a commentator rather than a politician, those things still stand. I’m very authentic in saying that I have no desire to be a politician whatsoever,” Smith said.
“But my God, if you came to me and said, ‘Listen, there is nobody else, and America is clamoring for you,’ which I sincerely doubt would ever happen. But if that were to happen, would I give it strong consideration? I won’t lie, yes, I would. I would give it strong consideration,” he added.
Smith and Vietor continued to discuss what they believe are the shortcomings of the Democratic Party. Smith argued that Democrats need to be their “real, true, authentic self, for better or worse” in order to get Americans to vote for them.
Smith then criticized Democrats over their messaging, saying they need to find a candidate who can tell Republicans that they are “better than the candidate that you have, because I’m gonna look out for you better than the candidate that you have.”
“This is what Trump did. He was fearless with it. Where are those Democrats? I don’t see them around. That’s why I’m a damn candidate. Because of that. It’s embarrassing,” Smith said.
He emphasized that it was “embarrassing” for some people to back Smith for the White House because the Democratic Party has no one else.
“I believe it is an utter embarrassment to the Democratic Party that I am a candidate in people’s eyes for the presidency of the United States,” he said. “It is an indictment against them, and they need to get their act together before somebody like me or somebody else takes it real seriously and says, ‘the hell with y’all.’ Because the roster that I’m seeing right now: Y’all don’t have anything.”
Smith’s comments come after a staff writer at The New Yorker also floated the ESPN host for president over the weekend. A recent poll by McLaughlin & Associates found Smith had 2% of support in a poll asking respondents about candidates for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.
Smith makes frequent appearances on cable news shows, including with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. He told Hannity earlier this month that he thinks “somebody like me could actually win” due to the “state” of the Democratic Party.
It’s not clear who will be the frontrunners for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to President Donald Trump last fall, is reportedly keeping her options open for another run for office.
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