Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show

Episode: Stephen A's Take: I love the hype, but Democrats, I shouldn't be your Presidential candidate
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

1. Introduction: Media Speculation of a Presidential Bid

The episode opens with Stephen A. Smith addressing the recent media buzz surrounding his potential presidential candidacy. Multiple reputable sources, including The Daily Beast and The New Yorker, have speculated on his political ambitions.

• Stephen A. Smith [01:10]:
  "The Daily Beast last week wrote, the headline is Top Dem A Lot to Like About Stephen A. Smith Presidential Bid. That is House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, who I hope will be on this show in the very near future."

Smith humorously references his appearance in the media, highlighting his fashion choices during a New Orleans party.

• Stephen A. Smith [02:02]:
  "I must admit, I got on like a lavender blazer with a lavender shirt and a purple tie. I was looking pretty fly, if I should say so myself."

2. Clarifying His Intentions: No Presidential Run

Despite the media frenzy, Smith firmly states his lack of intention to run for the U.S. presidency. He addresses a recent TMZ report that fueled speculation about his candidacy.

• Stephen A. Smith [02:21]:
  "Stephen A. Smith, I am not running for U.S. president. I have no intentions of running for the Presidency of the United States of America."

Smith elaborates on his reasons, citing financial considerations and his perception of the political landscape.

• Stephen A. Smith [03:00]:
  "I do not believe that my pockets are deep enough for me to ignore the financial strain that that could potentially have on me. Because obviously I earn more than the President of the United States."

3. Critique of the Democratic Party and the Two-Party System

Smith shifts focus to a critical analysis of the current political system, expressing frustration with the binary choice between Democrats and Republicans.

• Stephen A. Smith [04:15]:
  "I think the binary system that we're in, where we have to choose between the Democrats or the Republicans is a joke. I think it dissuades a vast majority of American citizens from wanting to be a part of the political process."

He argues that the lack of viable options within the Democratic Party has left a void, implicitly suggesting his own suitability as a potential leader.

• Stephen A. Smith [14:00]:
  "Well, guess what? Somebody got to send a message. How the hell can somebody receive a message if there's no messenger?"

4. The Decline of Liberal Donors and Advocacy Groups

Delving deeper, Smith discusses how liberal donors and advocacy groups are withdrawing support, weakening the Democratic base.

• Daniel Jeremiah [09:00]:
  "Liberal donors, I'm sorry, have paused giving, frustrated with what they see as Democrats lack of vision and worried about retaliation from a vengeful president."

Smith underscores the impact of this withdrawal, attributing it to the Democratic Party's misalignment with their core supporters.

• Stephen A. Smith [11:24]:
  "If you're the Democrats, that's why Stephen A. Smith is in the news. Because y'all don't have anybody. You don't have anybody."

5. Examination of Key Political Figures and Policies

Smith critiques prominent Democratic figures, including Kamala Harris and Hakeem Jeffries, questioning their leadership and electability.

• Stephen A. Smith [15:50]:
  "President Obama deported more people than Trump ever did, and you barely heard about it. He just did it knowing that Joe Biden opened borders."

He contrasts former and current administrations, highlighting perceived inconsistencies and failures within the Democratic leadership.

• Stephen A. Smith [17:01]:
  "He lost because we were looking for the courts to help us. Now we fast forward and what are we saying here?"

6. The Frustration with the Lack of Strong Democratic Leadership

Smith expresses frustration over the absence of compelling Democratic candidates who resonate with the broader American populace.

• Stephen A. Smith [18:30]:
  "They don't have that on the left. And now you got a whole bunch of people running scared, talking about leaving the country because they scared of Trump."

He emphasizes the need for strong leadership that can effectively compete with Republican counterparts.

7. Conclusion: The Voice for Change

In his concluding remarks, Smith reiterates his unsolicited consideration for the presidency, emphasizing his passion and determination to challenge the status quo.

• Stephen A. Smith [15:17]:
  "I have no interest in getting involved. More so than pundany and commentary. But you better hope I stay feeling that way. Because let me tell you something right now. I said I'll bring the rain. I lied I'd bring hell."

He calls for a revitalization of the Democratic Party, suggesting that his potential candidacy could catalyze necessary changes.

• Stephen A. Smith [19:25]:
  "That's why Stephen A. Smith is being polled as a presidential nominee. It ain't because I'm qualified. It damn sure ain't because I'm the smartest dude in the room. It's because I got heart, I got guts."

Smith closes the episode by challenging the Democratic Party to regroup and redefine its leadership to better align with voters' needs.

• Stephen A. Smith [24:15]:
  "That's why I'm a candidate. And even though I have no desire to be one, I don't mind the noise. Hopefully it'll make y'all uncomfortable to get y'all back up so you can get your act together and do what the hell you supposed to do."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stephen A. Smith [04:15]:
  "I think the binary system that we're in, where we have to choose between the Democrats or the Republicans is a joke."

• Daniel Jeremiah [09:00]:
  "Liberal donors have paused giving, frustrated with what they see as Democrats lack of vision."

• Stephen A. Smith [11:24]:
  "If you're the Democrats, that's why Stephen A. Smith is in the news. Because y'all don't have anybody."

• Stephen A. Smith [15:17]:
  "I said I'll bring the rain. I lied I'd bring hell."

• Stephen A. Smith [19:25]:
  "It ain't because I'm qualified. It damn sure ain't because I'm the smartest dude in the room. It's because I got heart, I got guts."

Final Thoughts

In this provocative episode, Stephen A. Smith uses his platform to critique the current state of the Democratic Party and the broader American political system. While he dismisses the notion of an actual presidential run, his passionate commentary underscores significant frustrations with political leadership and donor disengagement. Whether intended as satire or earnest critique, Smith's insights offer listeners a candid look at his perspective on American politics.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.