Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said Sunday that he is considering running for president in 2028 if a “bunch of goobers” enter the field but emphasized that he is focused on reelection during the next cycle.
Kennedy, 74, told Kristen Welker on Meet the Press that he would consider a presidential bid if he is no longer “effective” serving in the upper chamber. The senator, who is known for his homespun one-liners, declined to speculate about taking on Vice President JD Vance in 2028.
“My plans right now are to run for reelection, but as I’ve said before, if I don’t think I can be effective in the Senate anymore, I would consider it,” Kennedy said. “You know, what’s the old judge song? ‘Why not me on a rainy day? Why not me to mug your blues away?’ But I haven’t made a decision. If a bunch of on my side of the aisle, if a bunch of goobers run — and I think they’re goobers — and one of the goobers might win, and I think I could do a better job, I would consider running.”
When asked about why voters should choose him over Vance, who is seen as the GOP’s likeliest presidential candidate, Kennedy did not wade into hypotheticals.
“Oh, I’m not going to talk about another potential candidate,” Kennedy said. “I’m just not there yet. I assume JD is going to run.”
During the interview, Kennedy discussed his nationwide tour to boost candidates in the midterm elections. The second-term senator said he traveled to Ohio to stump for Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who is facing a tight race against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, and ventured to New Hampshire to campaign with former Republican Sen. John Sununu, who is looking to take back his seat.
VOTERS BACK DEMOCRATS ON ECONOMIC AND AFFORDABILITY ISSUES BUT TRUST NEITHER PARTY: POLL
Kennedy said he plans to return to New Hampshire, the first state on the presidential primary calendar, and will also head to Texas and Michigan, two key priorities for the GOP in the midterm elections. However, he emphasized that his travel plans are his own, not determined by party leadership.
“I’m going to go wherever my political people tell me to go,” Kennedy said. “I have my own political operation. I don’t take orders from my leadership. I do it my way.”
Continue reading...
[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
