Stephen A. Smith expressed that the Democratic Party requires some significant changes before it can effectively run a candidate for president.
During his appearance on CNN’s “Confederation Status” with host Jake Tupper, Smith discussed the possibility of his candidacy in the 2028 presidential election.
Tupper inquired, “So if you were to run for president, would it be under the Democratic banner?”
“Well, I’m actually a registered independent… I tend to lean left,” Smith replied. “I’m conservative regarding financial matters but socially liberal. When it comes to social issues, I consider myself quite liberal.”
Smith has reiterated his thoughts on potentially entering the presidential race, frequently voicing his discontent with the current Democratic leadership.
“If I were to run, it would be as a Democrat, but I’m dissatisfied with them. They really need to be restructured,” Smith stated. “It feels like the party needs some cleansing for me to consider being part of it.”
When Tupper pressed Smith about who he thinks should lead that cleansing effort, Smith hesitated to specify any names but noted his past criticisms of the far-left and excessive spending.
He argued that Democrats are out of touch with regular Americans, pointing to issues like mortgage payments and grocery costs as more pressing concerns.
Smith described himself as an “unqualified” outsider in the political arena, despite people urging him to share his views more widely.
“As a centrist, I believe my perspective could have a meaningful, sane impact. But honestly, if I were serious about this, I’d really consider becoming a politician,” he said.
He added, “The issue is that there’s a lack of trust in our politicians in Washington. They don’t seem to prioritize the needs of the American people, which is quite concerning.”
