Stephen A. Smith Critiques Democrats’ Accusations of Threats to Democracy

On his SiriusXM show “Straight Shooter,” Stephen A. Smith urged Democrats to reconsider their claims that political opposition poses a “threat to democracy,” labeling these accusations as hypocritical.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris became the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee despite having minimal primary support after Joe Biden stepped down and endorsed her on July 21, 2024. Smith remarked that unlike Republicans since Donald Trump entered politics, Democrats appear to be selecting their candidates rather than allowing public choice in recent elections.

Smith expressed his reservations about Harris, saying, “Look, when I talked about voting for Kamala Harris, I wasn’t excited about her. As far as I’m concerned, she didn’t get any votes because she didn’t get through the primary. And Democrats are talking about a ‘threat to democracy.’ Shut up. I don’t want to hear that, because that’s not what the former vice president cared about when he circumvented the democratic process to avoid the Democratic primary and go on to become the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.”

He went on to suggest that Democratic leadership had prioritized Harris, stating, “We could have gotten rid of Joe Biden sooner, but we didn’t because we wanted her there. It was her turn. In 2016, when Hillary was competing, it was her turn, too.” He added, “Once Biden faltered during the primaries, Congressman Clyburn swooped in to rescue him, and now it’s his turn. That’s my issue with the Democratic Party.”

Throughout the 2024 campaign, both Biden and Harris focused on presenting Trump as a danger to American democracy. Moreover, some Democratic representatives have made extreme comparisons, with Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett likening Trump to Adolf Hitler, while Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled Republicans as fascists.

Interestingly, in May, independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders concurred with comedian Akaash Singh on the notion that the Democratic Party represented a “threat to democracy,” critiquing the primary system since 2008.

Sanders said, “I’m not going to dispute that. That’s why I’m a proud independent.” Even some left-leaning voters and former Bill Clinton adviser Doug Schoen expressed dissatisfaction regarding how Harris was chosen as the Democratic presidential nominee.