Democrats Risk Losing Stephen A. Smith Like They Lost RFK Jr. Due to Party Exclusivity
Source: "Stephen A Smith teases 2028 presidential run amid Democratic concerns | Fox News." February 18, 2026. www.foxnews.com
The Gist
The author argues that Democrats are in trouble if they shut out Stephen A. Smith from their 2028 primary like they did to RFK Jr. Smith could expose how extreme the party has become and then switch sides, bringing lots of working-class voters with him to the Republicans.
Conclusion
If the Democratic Party excludes Stephen A. Smith from their 2028 primary process, he could defect to Republicans and bring significant voter influence with him, just as RFK Jr. did in 2024
Premises
- The Democratic Party has a history of blocking outsiders from their nomination process, as demonstrated with Bernie Sanders and RFK Jr.
- Stephen A. Smith represents a genuine centrist voice that would expose how far left the Democratic Party has moved
- Smith has significant influence over working-class demographics, particularly sports fans and the 'original manosphere'
- RFK Jr.'s defection to Trump after being excluded by Democrats brought crucial voter support that helped Trump win
- Democrats currently maintain a false narrative that figures like Spanberger and Harris are centrists, which goes unchallenged within the party
- Smith's combative style and common-sense positions would make progressive Democrats 'look downright silly' in debates
- The Teamsters' dramatic shift from Biden to Trump with Harris shows how quickly working-class support can flip
Assumptions
- Stephen A. Smith would actually run for president if given the opportunity
- Smith's political positions are genuinely centrist rather than conservative
- The Democratic Party will use the same exclusionary tactics they used against Sanders and RFK Jr.
- Smith's media influence translates directly to political influence over voters
- Working-class voters who follow sports media are a significant electoral demographic