ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith said Thursday he was not ruling out voting for Secretary of State Marco Rubio in 2028, provided he does not mount his own presidential bid.
Smith made the surprising statement during an appearance on Dave Rubin’s talk show when talking about his political views, identity as a centrist Democrat, and former acquaintanceship with President Donald Trump.
“Well, let me say this about Donald Trump. To me, I don’t even get into his policies,” Smith said. “Like for example, 2028 election, I’m not ruling out the possibility that if I don’t run, that I wouldn’t vote for a guy like Marco Rubio. This man is a former senator, he’s the present secretary of state, he’s the national security adviser. He’s an adult in the room.”
While offering praise for Rubio, Smith had a very different opinion about Vice President JD Vance.
“I look at JD Vance, and I see somebody that aspires to be Trumpish, engaging in populism as opposed to actually getting the work done,” Smith said.
Smith, for his part, said he was unlikely to run for president in 2028, but the notion was tempting given the weak field of possible Democratic contenders.
STEPHEN A. SMITH SAYS TRUMP PLAYED DEMOCRATS ‘LIKE A FIDDLE’ AT STATE OF THE UNION
“I’ve been very blessed and successful to have the career that I have, and I ain’t about to give up this money and what I’ve achieved to run for the presidency of the United States,” Smith said. “That is where I come in, but it is tempting when I see those as the candidates because I don’t believe any of them have a chance of winning.”
The interview with Rubin came one day after Smith ripped congressional Democrats for being “played like a fiddle” at the State of the Union when challenged by Trump to stand up if they believed the priority of the federal government was to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Rubio’s and Vance’s offices for comment.
