Stephen A. Smith has been mulling a run for president for at least a year. While he continues to go back and forth on whether to put his name on the ballot, it appears he's once again keeping his options open.
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The ESPN commentator, who is never at a loss for words, recently told TMZ, "The country sucks." And he didn't stop there. We have all the details below.
Stephen A. Smith Said the "County Is Devoid of Leadership"
The 58-year-old Smith then elaborated on his statement, adding that no one seems capable of steering the country in the right direction.
"I think the country is devoid of leadership; the kind of leadership we have, we don't need," he said. The kind of leadership we should be getting, nobody is stepping up and doing."
Smith added, "I don't desire to be a politician, but in the same breath, the opportunity to go on a debate stage and call out these politicians for the things that they've done to damage this country is something that very much appeals to me."
This is very much in line with what Smith has said before. As we reported last year, Smith said that if he thinks he has "a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States," he's not going to rule out the possibility of a run.
Smith Says One Thing Is Standing in His Way
While the idea of Smith sparring with candidates the same way he does with his peers every morning on First Take intrigues us, he adds that there is something else standing in his way of heading out on the campaign trail.
Yep, it's money. The media personality reportedly signed a five-year, $100 million contract with ESPN last year. However, he says that his "money has to be tight."
"My quality of life needs to be straight, you know," he said. "From my understanding, that can't happen because I'd have to give it up in order to run."
Smith says he won't have a definitive answer until next year. While he wants to debate those in power "more so than anything else," he does find a run for the highest office in the land intriguing.
He said, "I'm not going to lie and act like it wouldn't be attractive if I knew I could win the presidency, that I wouldn't be tempted, because I know I would."
