The Stephen A. Smith Show: “The Democrats Are Coming; Colin Allred; Tom Cotton”

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith (SiriusXM POTUS)

Episode Overview

This episode marks a multifaceted and politically charged edition of Stephen A. Smith’s Straight Shooter, as he dives beyond the realm of sports into the pulse of American politics. Stephen A. diagnoses the state of the Democratic Party, claims they’re “gaining traction” in key regions, and hosts major interviews with two prominent political figures: former congressman Colin Allred (Democrat, Texas) and Senator Tom Cotton (Republican, Arkansas, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair). The episode unpacks issues of economic affordability, the Affordable Care Act, party dynamics, and bipartisan gridlock—while fielding listener calls to gauge the national mood.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Democratic Party Resurgence & Political Landscape

• Stephen A.’s Thesis:

  • The Democratic Party is “creeping” up on the national scene and finding renewed momentum, especially after notable wins in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Miami.
  • Recent Democratic victories suggest Republicans are losing ground, and voters are frustrated with economic issues and political pettiness on both sides.

  Quote:

  “Do you hear the footsteps of the Democratic Party creeping up on you?... The bottom line is this: You already won the mayoral seat in New York City… New Jersey… Virginia… Miami despite DeSantis and Trump endorsements. Republicans will have you believe that means nothing.”
  ([01:33])

• Economic Messaging & Strategy:

  • Smith criticizes past Democratic messaging, arguing that a shift to affordability and core economic issues is spurring the party’s come-back.
  • He calls out Kamala Harris’s campaign missteps and faults Dems for ignoring “real” pocketbook issues in past cycles.
  • Democrats are now centering issues like the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) subsidies, healthcare premiums, and affordability.

2. State of the Economy & Affordability

• Current Status:

  • Stock market growth is acknowledged (S&P 500 up 17.4%). However, Stephen A. points out consumer unease about actual costs—food, gas, housing—and doubts Republican claims that the crisis is a “hoax.”
  • Healthcare and SNAP program concerns, especially as ACA subsidies face a looming deadline.

  Quote:

  “Trump could call it a hoax all he wants... the American people out there, that’s going to the supermarket, they ain’t feel it. They don’t feel that way.”
  ([09:10])

• Analysis:

  • Smith explores the disconnect between positive financial reports and real-life affordability struggles, highlighting how both parties use the issue for political gain without decisive solutions.

Major Interviews

Colin Allred (Texas Democrat, Former Congressman)

[27:01 – 50:30]

Key Topics

• Withdrawing from Senate Race:
  Allred explains stepping out of the Senate primary to run again for the House. He frames this as a commitment to unity and serving constituents more effectively.

  Quote:

  “This is not a normal election. The level of emotion that people are feeling about what's happening in our country is incredibly high. I think folks are scared...”
  ([30:03])

• Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Run:
  Allred discusses his relationship with Jasmine Crockett, her candidacy for Senate, and his belief that Texas is a steep climb for Democrats, but Crockett’s fundraising ability and campaign skills are notable.

• Democratic Party Strategic Direction:

  • Advocates for focusing on working people, centering economic and health concerns.
  • Calls on Democrats to be more fiscally responsible, more practical about public spending.
  • Champions smart investments in early childhood, home ownership, and pragmatic social programs.

• Affordable Care Act & Healthcare:

  • Defends ongoing subsidies, rejects GOP arguments about runaway costs.
  • Warns of catastrophic premium hikes if Congress fails to act.

  Quote:

  “What if you're a working-class person who has to shower after work instead of before it? ... Your pay has gone up a bit, but it's not kept up with overall inflation.”
  ([36:36])

• Bipartisanship & Political Divisiveness:

  • Draws from athletic/captaincy experience to advocate for teamwork.
  • Calls out media and social incentives that fuel divisiveness; calls for a shift toward problem-solving.

  Quote:

  “Elections are sort of like training camp… when we come out of it, we should be on the same team because we're all American. That's how I see it.”
  ([48:53])

Senator Tom Cotton (Arkansas Republican, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair)

[55:17 – 86:56]

Key Topics

• National Security Briefings:

  • Affirms he receives thorough, timely briefings as Intelligence Chair.
  • Defends administration’s handling and communication with Congress, credits officials like Marco Rubio and John Ratcliffe.

• ‘Signal Gate’ & Pete Hegseth:

  • Backs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid controversy over the use of Signal app/texting during covert operations.
  • Distinguishes this from the Clinton email scandal, saying one was a secure, isolated event, the other a policy issue.

• Affordable Care Act & GOP Healthcare Plans:

  • Argues ACA (“Obamacare”) premiums have doubled, most Americans are still hurting.
  • GOP wants more personal choice, more control for families, not “one-size-fits-all.”
  • Smith pushes him to clarify: “Where’s the plan?” Cotton references forthcoming alternatives and incremental steps, but specifics remain elusive.

  Quote:

  “We want to give families more choice in their health care. We think that’ll help make it more affordable for everyone.”
  ([70:03])

• Democratic Party Momentum:

  • Recognizes recent Democratic wins but frames them as midterm pattern.
  • Argues GOP’s path to 2026 is through concrete governance and improving lives, not just campaigning.

• Trump, GOP Divisions & Criticism:

  • Smith presses Cotton on MAGA divisions and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s departure.
  • Cotton acknowledges past policy disagreements with Trump (e.g., on criminal justice reform), but argues the second Trump term has seen faster action and more like-minded appointees.

  Quote:

  “I haven't reviewed every in and out that Congresswoman Greene and President Trump have said… they may not be on each other’s Christmas card lists.”
  ([75:33])

• Bipartisan Legislative Work:

  • Cotton highlights recent bipartisan security bills with Senators Rosen and Gillibrand, emphasizing that beyond heated rhetoric, pragmatic cooperation often happens in Congress.

  Quote:

  “...Although we have deep philosophical divisions and that leads to heated arguments... we can do that in a civilized manner.”
  ([84:26])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stephen A., on Party Messaging Shifts:

  “We don’t have to talk about woke culture... We’re talking about issues of affordability.”
  ([08:52])

• On Texas Politics:

  “Texas is different down there, folks. The Republican stronghold on that state is very palpable... I'm just saying it's Texas. A little bit different.”
  ([17:18])

• On Real-Life Affordability:

  “There's no such thing as an economy that's A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus... When you say stuff like that, the Democrats are able to point to the fact that you're embellishing, at the very least, bloviating about something that's not true.”
  ([11:33])

• Tom Cotton, on internal party friction:

  “First, I haven’t reviewed every in and out that Congresswoman Greene and President Trump have said... from a distance, they may not be on each other's Christmas card list this year.”
  ([75:33])

Listener Calls: Grassroots Frustration & Insight

[89:22 – End]

• Health Care and Affordability:

  • Callers express anger at politicians’ inability to deliver real healthcare reforms or explain costs.
  • Widespread skepticism about “free” public programs and proposals.

• Democratic Prospects in Texas:

  • Some callers believe Dems should divert resources from Texas Senate races, focusing elsewhere due to historic apathy and GOP dominance.

• Military Spending vs. Social Programs:

  • Frustrated callers point out inconsistency—no one questions endless defense funding, but healthcare gets scrutinized.

• Blame & Accountability:

  • Many challenge both parties’ records, citing long stretches of Democratic presidential administrations with unresolved affordability woes:

    “Democrats have been in office 75% of the last 16 years... they left 15 million people in this country on immigration, causing [rents and jobs] to go up. Why are they now saying we have an affordability problem?”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|---------------| | Stephen A. opening monologue | 01:06 | | Economic focus/ACA/Pocketbook issues | 06:41-14:24 | | Colin Allred interview start | 27:01 | | Allred on Dem divisions, Crockett’s run | 31:16-36:36 | | Allred on bipartisanship/divisiveness | 48:53 | | Tom Cotton interview start | 55:17 | | Cotton on ACA, GOP plans | 68:43-72:38 | | Cotton on Trump, party, and bipartisanship| 75:15-86:56 | | Listener call-ins (economy & ACA) | 89:22 – end |

Final Thoughts / Episode Tone

Stephen A. Smith leads with a direct, candid, and sometimes combative style—inviting pointed debate from both guests and callers alike. The episode is rich with informed, passionate argument about today’s gravest political and economic challenges. Listeners gain a clear sense that national frustrations about affordability, health care, and partisan gridlock cross party lines, while the fate of both parties may yet depend on who can convincingly champion solutions for working Americans.

Notable Soundbite:

“If they listen, if they hear me... they might have a chance. And Trump knows it, and so does his team... he’s hearing the footsteps. The Dems just might be coming.”
— Stephen A. Smith ([23:05])