Stephen A. Smith Reveals Why He Would Beat Every Dem in 2028
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Stephen A. Smith identifies as a moderate Democrat, aligning with 1980s/90s Democratic values (e.g., Clinton era) rather than the current progressive left.
- ❖He views the potential 2028 Democratic presidential field (Newsom, Harris, Buttigieg, AOC) as "weak" and easily beatable due to policy issues, perceived inauthenticity, or lack of gravitas.
- ❖Smith criticizes the Democratic party for being pulled too far left by a small progressive cadre, neglecting core issues like the economy, border security, and safety for American citizens.
- ❖He argues that a focus on "American citizens first" and fiscal responsibility, coupled with a willingness to compromise, is essential for national leadership.
- ❖Smith's primary barrier to a political run is the financial sacrifice required by FCC regulations, not a lack of confidence in his ability to win.
Insights
1Stephen A. Smith's Political Identity as a Moderate Democrat
Smith defines himself as a liberal on social issues (pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ+) but also values free-market capitalism and national security. He aligns with historical Democratic stances on civil rights and supporting the disenfranchised, but explicitly disavows the "strong progressive left" of today's party, calling some of their positions "nonsense." He sees himself as a "moderate" Democrat, akin to the Clinton Democrats of the 80s and 90s.
I've never considered myself conservative when it came to to social issues, anything outside of fiscal issues... I'm pro-choice instead of pro-life... pro-LGBTQ plus... free market capitalism, national security these things are very very important to me... I am in no way identifying myself with today's Democratic party... I'm talking about the Democrats that existed in the 80s and the '90s, the Clinton Democrats...
2Critique of the Modern Democratic Party's Priorities
Smith argues that the Democratic party is pulled too far left by a small progressive faction, leading them to prioritize niche issues (e.g., transgender rights for less than 1% of the population) over the concerns of their loyal Black voter base (13.6% of the population, 80%+ vote since the 1960s). He views this as "emotional blackmail" and a failure to address the "popery of issues" affecting the Black community, such as the economy, borders, and street safety.
What the hell are you doing talking about less than 1% of the population like it's a very very serious issue when 13%.6% of the population which was the black community has been giving you more than 80% of its vote since the 1960s. How dare you do that? We don't have a right to care about the economy. We don't have a right to care about our borders. We don't have a right to care about safety in the streets.
3Assessment of 2028 Democratic Presidential Candidates
Smith provides sharp critiques of potential 2028 Democratic nominees: * **Gavin Newsom:** Criticized for California's issues (crime, homelessness, debt) and perceived inauthenticity, especially on parental consent for gender transitions in minors. * **Kamala Harris:** Weak numbers, failed to gain support in 2024, and a perceived lack of differentiation from Biden. * **Pete Buttigieg:** "Doesn't move us" (lacks charisma/impact). * **Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC):** Respected for passion and constituency work, but her "embarrassing" performance at the Munich conference on Taiwan policy exposed a lack of preparedness for global issues, which Republicans would exploit.
Gavin Newsome... Crime, homelessness, affordability, environment, debt in California, please. Kla Harris... your interview on the view sealed your fate when they asked you, 'Is there anything that you would do differently than Biden?' You like, 'No, I can't think of anything.' Pete Budajed... he doesn't move us. That clip of her in Munich was one of the most embarrassing videos we may have seen... You were not prepared. You did not know what you were talking about and the world saw it.
4"American Citizens First" as a Core Principle
Smith strongly advocates for prioritizing American citizens, particularly regarding border policy and resource allocation. He criticizes Democrats for not standing up to Trump's statement about protecting American citizens first, arguing it's a common-sense principle, not a racist one. He cites an instance where an American citizen was told they had to wait for medical treatment in LA in favor of a migrant, highlighting the perceived unfairness of sanctuary city policies.
I absolutely would have stood up... because the bottom line is you got to remember the key words that came out of his mouth. He said American citizens... that's the right thing because it should be American citizens first, number one. If you were a migrant, it would be easier to take care of you, but the problem is is that you're an American citizen, so you have to wait in line.
5Fiscal Responsibility and Government Spending
Smith expresses frustration with politicians who constantly advocate for "tax the rich" without demonstrating competence in managing the budget. He points to the national debt and mismanaged projects (like California's high-speed rail) as evidence of poor fiscal stewardship, arguing that the issue is often government spending, not a lack of tax revenue. He praises Andrew Cuomo for understanding how to "run a government" and criticizes Mayor Eric Adams for learning on the job.
As a nation, we're over $38 trillion in debt. Somewhere along the way, clearly there's been mismanagement... Somewhere along the way, would you mind handling the budget? Would you would you would you would you mind doing your job? It's a spending issue, not an income issue. Andrew Cuomo... he said, 'But I know how to run a government. I know how to do that. That's my thing. That's my gift.'
6His Hypothetical Presidential Candidacy
Smith states he could win the Democratic nomination against the current field because he has no political record to attack, unlike his opponents. He emphasizes his fighting spirit, debate skills, and ability to bring the party back to the center. His main obstacle is the financial loss from leaving his media career due to FCC regulations.
The candidates that you showed me, I I believe I can take them... I don't have a record. What you going to do? Show clips of me yelling on First Day or Sports Center? That's all you got? If I do it, it's because I believe I'm going to win. I'm coming to win. Come up with a way for me to keep my money... I'd get pulled off the air immediately because of that. And I wouldn't get a check.
Bottom Line
The Democratic Party's perceived surrender to the "extreme progressive left" is driven by fear of losing power positions, not genuine alignment with those ideologies.
This suggests a strategic vulnerability where moderate voices within the party are suppressed, creating an opening for a centrist candidate to reclaim the party's direction.
A candidate who can articulate mainstream Democratic values while explicitly rejecting progressive extremes could mobilize a broad base of disaffected voters and challenge the party's current leadership.
The current political climate, characterized by a lack of compromise and binary choices, trickles down from Capitol Hill to cause chaos and polarization among the populace, while elected officials remain insulated from the consequences (e.g., government shutdowns).
This highlights a fundamental disconnect between political leadership and the lived experiences of citizens, fueling public cynicism and distrust.
A leader who prioritizes genuine compromise, shared sacrifice (e.g., politicians' paychecks affected by shutdowns), and common-sense solutions could bridge divides and restore faith in governance.
Lessons
- Evaluate political candidates not just on their stated party affiliation but on their specific policy positions and demonstrated leadership competence, especially regarding fiscal management.
- Recognize that a candidate's lack of a traditional political record can be framed as an advantage, offering a fresh perspective unburdened by past policy decisions.
- Consider how political parties prioritize issues and whether those priorities align with the broader concerns of the electorate, rather than just vocal niche groups.
Notable Moments
Smith's anecdote about a friend being told an American citizen had to wait for medical treatment in LA in favor of a migrant illustrates a key tension in sanctuary city policies.
This highlights a real-world consequence of policy decisions that can alienate native citizens and fuel resentment, directly impacting public perception of immigration and resource allocation.
His critique of AOC's "embarrassing" Munich conference performance highlights the importance of preparedness and global policy understanding for national leadership.
This moment underscores that even popular figures can be exposed as unprepared on critical issues, which can significantly damage their credibility on a national or international stage, regardless of their domestic passion.
His comparison of his potential political style to Trump's "you idiots are going to force someone like me to run" suggests a similar anti-establishment, direct appeal.
This indicates a potential strategy for a non-traditional candidate to leverage public frustration with the political establishment, positioning themselves as an outsider forced into action by perceived incompetence.
Quotes
"I am in no way identifying myself with today's Democratic party... I'm talking about the Democrats that existed in the 80s and the '90s, the Clinton Democrats and stuff like that. I'm not talking about this strong progressive left, you know, with some of the nonsense that they've they've spewed and the positions that they've taken."
"What the hell are you doing talking about less than 1% of the population like it's a very very serious issue when 13%.6% of the population which was the black community has been giving you more than 80% of its vote since the 1960s. How dare you do that?"
"The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens."
"If I do it, it's because I believe I'm going to win. I'm coming to win. I'm not going to step on a debate stage to lose."
"If you were a migrant, it would be easier to take care of you, but the problem is is that you're an American citizen, so you have to wait in line."
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