Stephen A. Smith says he has "no choice" but to consider presidential run

What they're saying: "I have no choice because I've had elected officials ... coming up to me. I've had folks who are pundits come up to me. I've had folks that got a lot of money, billionaires and others, have talked to me about exploratory committees and things of that nature," Smith said.

• He told ABC's Jon Karl he's happy with his job and has just signed a contract extension with ESPN. "But here's the reality: Literally, people have walked up to me, including my own pastor, for crying out loud, who has said to me, 'you don't know what God has planned for you,'" he said.
• "'At least show the respect to the people who believe in you, who respect you, who believe that you can make a difference in this country to leave the door open for any possibilities two to three years down the line.' And that's what I've decided to do," Smith added.
• "I would hope somebody else would step up that's more qualified than me, but if it has to come down to me, it is something I would consider. Yes, I would, because I don't mind the thought of tussling with these folks at all on the left or the right. All of them disgust me to be quite honest with you."

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