Let me tell you something: Stephen A. Smith is a force to reckon with.
Democrats, take him seriously. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating him, mocking him, or dismissing his potential. Pay attention.
Now, I’m not suggesting that Stephen A. Smith, the face of ESPN who, as sources suggest, just secured a massive five-year contract worth $100 million, is planning to throw his hat into the presidential race under the Democratic banner. That’s unlikely. But when he claims he could hold his own in a debate against almost any Democratic contender—except perhaps Pete Buttigieg or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—he might have a point.
He also isn’t off the mark when he points out the Democrats’ struggle with coherent communication and messaging. Just look at the aftermath of President Trump’s recent Congressional address: the spotlight on Texas Rep. Al Green’s censured behavior rather than the party’s message speaks volumes about their current lack of solid leadership.
Instead of shrugging him off, Democrats could learn a thing or two from Smith. Seriously.
Every day, on his nationally syndicated radio show and ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith delivers a masterful blend of storytelling, debate, reporting, and entertainment. I’ve only seen a similar skill set in Paul “The Wise Man” Heyman from the world of pro wrestling, another communicator worth learning from in political messaging circles. But let’s stay on track.
Smith masterfully combines charisma, passion, knowledge, controversy, humor, and emotion to spark discussions and debates. This is precisely the kind of strategy the Democrats could benefit from. Since Donald Trump’s descent down that golden escalator, the Republican Party has transformed itself, placing larger-than-life figures who dominate the media at its forefront. Meanwhile, Democrats have been complacent, hoping the mainstream media would handle their battles, causing them to lag behind their Republican counterparts.
Politics mirrors culture, and in the realm of sports culture, Smith is a towering presence. He commands the attention of influential figures like Jerry Jones from the Cowboys and LeBron James from the Lakers, along with a significant fan following. How many Democrats can claim a comparable cultural influence?
Frankly, by being direct about the Democratic Party’s shortcomings, Smith has integrated himself into the national political dialogue. This highlights both his effectiveness as a communicator and the party’s current weaknesses.
Voters are demanding change, eager to break away from the status quo. They are turning their backs on traditional institutions. In today’s landscape, communication prowess trumps political experience or deep policy knowledge. If Democrats think traditional politicians with conventional backgrounds are the antidote to Trump and the MAGA media complex, well, as Smith would say, they’re out of their damn minds.
Kurt Bardella is a political contributor at NewsNation. Follow him @KurtBardella on X and @KurtTakes on Instagram/Threads.
