During CNN’s “The State of the Union” on Sunday, Stephen A. Smith, a 2028 presidential candidate and ESPN figure, expressed that modern Democrats should reevaluate their approach if they want to secure the support of their party.
Smith noted that the party’s progressive politics seem disconnected from the current landscape.
Tapper: If you were to run for president, would you do so as a Democrat?
Smith: Well, interestingly, I’m actually registered as independent. I lean left on a lot of issues. However, when it comes to my finances, I tend to be conservative. Socially, I’m mostly liberal. In fact, I’m quite supportive of liberal stances on social issues. So, I’m at peace with where I stand. If I were to run, I would probably align with Democrats, but I’m not entirely satisfied with them. The Democrats today aren’t doing much to draw me in, so if I were to seek their support, I’d have to, in a way, cleanse myself of their existing dynamics.
Furthermore, I believe Donald Trump won the election while the Democrats are struggling to maintain relevance. If I were to be linked to a party that seems so left-leaning or focused heavily on certain issues, that wouldn’t appeal to me at all.
I definitely want to initiate change in that sense.
Tapper: What specifically are the Democrats doing that pushes you away and makes you think they need to cleanse? Do you have anyone in mind who should be removed?
Smith: I’m not going to single anyone out. But we all know who the far left is, and their agenda. When it comes to issues like open borders, we see a trend. And even the Republicans aren’t without fault; their spending has been excessive. They sometimes mimic the Democrats, which makes the staggering $37 trillion budget all too real. But Democrats should definitely share some of the blame as well.
The focus on identity politics, cancel culture, and what’s been termed “woke” culture has, in my opinion, severely impacted our nation. It seems to have worsened over time.
Many people now think that this is one reason why Donald Trump gained office—because the dialogue shifted from real policy to personal narratives. What they asked of Americans didn’t resonate as much as they intended. Concerns like mortgages, rent, grocery prices, fuel costs, and overall safety dominate the average citizen’s mind. People are just trying to live comfortably and harmoniously.
And frankly, I don’t feel that either side has effectively addressed these core concerns, which contributes to the current state of the nation.
