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Stephen A. Smith has never met a controversial topic he hasn’t reveled in, and now, he’s about to jump into a new arena stacked with them.
The First Take host has turned down the idea of running for office in recent months despite polls in his favor, but now he’s had a change of heart.
Smith revealed the news at the NAB show in Las Vegas when he was pressed about the possibility of running for an elected office.
He gave the same answer he always does, shunning the idea because he appreciates the sports groove he’s carved out for himself, and not being pleased with the political stereotypes, adding, “I’ve always perceived politicians as being professional beggars. I don’t say that derogatorily or anything like that. It’s just the reality. You’ve always got your hand out for something. People always need favors in return. I’m not that guy. So I could never see myself as a politician.”
But another characteristic those on Capitol Hill tend to have is innate persuasiveness, and Smith revealed that it may be chipping away at his refusal to get involved in politics.
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it. I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill. I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you. People have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it,” he said. “I have no desire to be a politician, but I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to close that door. I’m gonna keep my options open.”
He continued in true Stephen A. Smith fashion, committing more to the somewhat attainable goal of becoming an assemblyman in his native New York. He’s setting his eyes on becoming the leader of the free world, if America is still in a crapshoot in a few years.
He continued, “If it comes in late 2026, 2027, where I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess and there’s legitimate reason to believe … that I indeed have a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States. I am not going to rule it out.”
Between his Stephen A. Smith Show and his appearances on several other shows to debate politics lately, he already has some knowledge under his belt. So he’s already eyeing certain potential opponents in Governors Wes Moore of Maryland, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and California’s Gavin Newsom for the democratic ticket.
Now that Smith is leaving the proverbial door cracked at a life in politics, see what social media’s got to say about it below.
