Stephen A's Take: He weighs in on AOC's potential 2028 presidential run. - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: In-Depth Analysis of AOC's Potential 2028 Presidential Run

Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: He weighs in on AOC's potential 2028 presidential run
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Podcast Platform: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the intriguing possibility of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) running for the U.S. presidency in 2028. Drawing on recent developments and insights from the political landscape, Smith offers a comprehensive analysis of AOC's potential candidacy, its implications for the Democratic Party, and the broader electoral strategies at play.

AOC's Emergence as a Democratic Leader

Smith begins by contextualizing AOC's rise within the Democratic Party, highlighting her status as a leading progressive voice.

"AOC, who is 35 years of age, has emerged as a leading voice for Democrats..." (01:13)

He acknowledges her significant influence among the progressive base but raises concerns about her appeal to centrist and swing voters, a crucial demographic for winning national elections.

Concerns Over Centrist Voter Appeal

A central theme of Smith's discussion revolves around the potential alienation of centrist voters if AOC were to pursue a presidential run. He emphasizes the importance of appealing to the moderate electorate, especially in swing states that were pivotal in the Democratic losses during the November elections.

"...some within the party are concerned she'll turn off centrist voters who are needed in the swing states that Trump swept in November." (01:13)

Smith concurs with these concerns, arguing that AOC's progressive policies might not resonate with the broader, more moderate voter base.

"They are absolutely right. She will turn off centrist." (01:13)

AOC's Policy Positions and Electoral Viability

Smith meticulously examines AOC's policy stances, such as universal healthcare and higher taxes, questioning their feasibility in a general election context. He suggests that while these policies energize the progressive wing, they may be perceived as too radical by the average voter.

"...if you talk about universal health care and you talk about other things, if it equated to taxing Americans 70% of their income, she wouldn't be against it. That ain't gonna win you elections." (01:13)

Strategic Questions for the Democratic Party

Transitioning to a broader critique, Smith challenges the Democratic Party to present a clear and actionable plan beyond opposition to former President Trump. He underscores the necessity for the party to address critical issues such as the economy, immigration reform, foreign policy, and criminal justice reform with concrete solutions.

"I'm just talking about whether or not it's a winning strategy... What's your plan?" (01:13)

He expresses skepticism about the current direction of the party, suggesting that without a cohesive strategy, Democrats risk further setbacks in upcoming elections.

Leadership and Potential Candidates

Smith discusses other Democratic leaders, such as governors from Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and New York, emphasizing the importance of experienced state leaders in national elections over congressional representatives who may lack broader executive experience.

"...the key operative word in all of that is governor, meaning you ran a state as opposed to being one of 435 representatives..." (01:13)

He questions whether figures like AOC should instead aim for congressional advancement, such as a Senate seat, to bolster the party's legislative strength.

Critique of Progressive Allies

Addressing AOC's alliances, particularly her association with Bernie Sanders, Smith critiques the consistency and practicality of their progressive rhetoric versus their actions. He points out perceived hypocrisies, such as Sanders' ongoing references to oligarchy while engaging in large-scale campaign activities.

"If that man mentions the word oligarch one more time, I'm going to lose my mind. He's been saying it since 1983." (01:13)

Smith argues that such inconsistencies may undermine the progressive message and hinder electoral success.

The Need for Democratic Cohesion

Smith emphasizes the importance of Democratic unity and strategic planning. He draws parallels with former President Obama's approach in 2008, advocating for winning and then effectively governing by working across the aisle.

"That's what Obama said. I won. We won it's our turn." (01:13)

He warns that without a unified strategy, Democrats may falter in upcoming midterm elections, allowing Republicans to regain control.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for the Democratic Party

Wrapping up his analysis, Smith calls on the Democratic Party to develop a clear and comprehensive plan that addresses key national issues while balancing progressive ideals with broad electoral appeal. He underscores that the party's future success hinges on its ability to strategize effectively and present viable solutions to the American electorate.

"Because if you don't come up with an answer soon, Trump and his peeps are going to answer it for you and they're going to win the midterms in 2026..." (01:13)

Notable Quotes

Stephen A. Smith: "I don't have one yet. That's why I keep telling y' all, if I ever run for the presidency. Oh, trust me, that's not a decision I'm gonna make for years, for at least the next two years. And I sincerely hope that it's not me." (07:30)
Stephen A. Smith: "Do you have the answer to that other than railing against the establishment? I've listened to Jasmine Crockett. Both AOC and Jasmine Crockett are welcomed on this show. I respect the hell out of both of them. I'm not here to disrespect anybody. I'm only talking about what strategy is going to work." (08:15)

Final Thoughts

Stephen A. Smith provides a thought-provoking examination of AOC's potential presidential bid, balancing admiration for her passion and commitment with pragmatic concerns about electoral strategy and party unity. This episode serves as a critical resource for listeners seeking to understand the dynamics within the Democratic Party and the challenges it faces in the evolving political landscape.

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.

Transcript

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Now let's get to Washington in an early look at the race for the White House in 2028. According to the Wall Street Journal, sources close to AOC say she isn't ruling out the possibility of a presidential run. The Democrats suffered major losses in the November election, as everybody and their grandmama knows, and the party is frankly struggling to find a strategy to take on President Trump and his policies. AOC, who is 35 years of age, has emerged as a leading voice for Democrats, but some within the party are concerned she'll turn off centrist voters who are needed in the swing states that Trump swept in November. For the record, they are absolutely right. She will turn off centrist. I am not casting any aspersions on this young lady. I think that if you are a Democrat, if you are a leftist who rails against the system, who believes that free market capitalism spearheaded by billionaires is not the way to go if you believe that not enough attention is being paid attention to the desolate and disenfranchised, if you believe that higher taxes is the way to go, that a focus shouldn't be on securing the borders, if you believe those kind of things, and that's where you stand ideologically, AOC is your candidate. No doubt about that. Here's what I will say to you. I have no questions about her heart and the place that it is in. I think that anyone that she represents knows that she's a fighter. She's a fighter for the impoverished. She's a fighter for urban America. She's a fighter for Union workers and things of that nature. I get that part. I'm just talking about whether or not it's a winning strategy. Most people in the country are centrist, they're moderates, whether they're Republican moderates or Democratic nominates moderates or just flat out centrist, who are independents. That's most of the American population. They are not maga. Right. And they are not progressive left. She clearly is. And not to be literal, not to be taken literally, but she gives the impression that when you talk about universal health care and you talk about other things, if it equated to taxing Americans 70% of their income, she wouldn't be against it. That ain't gonna win you elections. That's not gonna win you elections. If you're living in this day and age and you're talking about fighting for certain rights as a particular. As it pertains to transgender individuals, athletes transitioning and men competing in women's sports and stuff like that, which she's not about to speak against. If you think that's gonna win you an election, you've got your head in the sand. See, the real issue that I'm having right now with the Democratic Party is I'm waiting to hear what your plan is. It can't be. We're just against all things Trump. What's your plan? What's your plan for the economy? What's your plan as it pertains to comprehensive immigration reform? What is your plan when it comes to foreign affairs? What is your plan as it pertains to the Israeli Palestinian conflict? Or should I say Israel with Hamas? What is your plan with Russia and Ukraine? Is it just giving Ukraine more money like Biden was willing to do? What are your plans? We got to pay attention to all of this stuff. Jobs in America, recidivism in our jails, all of these things. What's the plan? What's the plan as it pertains to the vast majority of Americans in this country? What is your plan? I don't have one yet. That's why I keep telling y' all, if I ever run for the presidency. Oh, trust me, that's not a decision I'm gonna make for years, for at least the next two years. And I sincerely hope that it's not me. You got a lot of people that look at Westmoreland, the governor of Maryland, that look at Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, that look at Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, that looks at Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, New York State, who's now running for mayor of the City of New York. The key operative word in all of that is governor, meaning you ran a state as opposed to being one of 435 representatives whistling into the wind about what you think is wrong with this country, ill equipped to do something about it because you're relatively limited, because you're only one voice of many. As in 435, you got people talking about how she should run for a Senate seat. Maybe that's true. Maybe she should supplant Senator Chuck Schumer, who's been there for ages and people have been critical against because he sided with the Republicans a month ago instead of the Democrats. Either way you slice it, here's the point. Are you really just talking and railing against the establishment? Are you railing against the new establishment that is the maga, right, led by Trump? Or are you strategizing as it pertains to what's going to work? I saw her go on tour with Bernie Sanders, okay? If that man mentions the word oligarch one more time, I'm going to lose my mind. He's been saying it since 1983. Haven't you noticed that folks ain't buying that right now you're having these rallies, flying on jets and doing all of these things, which is basically the same kind of thing you've been complaining about. Where's the consistency? Where's the absence of hypocrisy? These are the kind of questions people are going to ask. Do you have the answer to that other than railing against the establishment? I've listened to Jasmine Crockett. Both AOC and Jasmine Crockett are welcomed on this show. I respect the hell out of both of them. I'm not here to disrespect anybody. I'm only talking about what strategy is going to work. When I hear Jasmine Crockett talking about how I'm just against all things and everything, Trump is that legislating? Isn't it an obligation that you have to come up with something if the other party is in office? You have to go from thinking that you're going to get what you want. If your party was in the White House and instead transitioning to how can I work with the other party to get some of what I want? Because I know I'm not going to get most of what I want, but because they won the election, how do we notice that was Obama's approach when he beat Senator John McCain for the presidency in 2008? That's what he said. I won. We won it's our turn. I remember Mitch McConnell, the Senate, the Republican Senator, speaker of the House. I'm sorry, speaker of the Senate. I remember what Mitch McConnell said at that time. My goal is to make Obama a one term president. That's not somebody that was willing to work across the aisle. I get that. But it compromised the White House because ultimately the kind of power that they had in having the House, the Senate and the White House was lost a couple of years later with what AOC is doing, with what Bernie Sanders is doing, and with what Jasmine Crockett is doing. I don't know if that's going to win you back one of the Houses of Congress come 2026. What is your strategy? That's all I'm asking. It's a question for Democrats everywhere. Because if you don't come up with an answer soon, Trump and his peeps are going to answer it for you and they're going to win the midterms in 2026 and then you'll really be up Schitt's creek.