‘If a bunch of goobers run’: John Kennedy reveals what could push him into 2028 race

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Senator John Kennedy said he could consider a 2028 presidential bid if weak GOP contenders leave him believing he could do better.

Kennedy said his immediate priority is winning re-election, but he would reconsider if he sees potential Republican candidates as unfit.

He made the comments Sunday, October 4, during an NBC News 'Meet the Press' interview with host Kirsten Welker.

Kennedy leaves door open to 2028 presidential bid

Kennedy said he has not decided whether to seek the presidency and would first focus on his Senate re-election campaign.

"My plans right now are to run for re-election," Kennedy said.

"But as I've said before, if I don't think I can be effective in the Senate anymore, I would consider it."

He then offered a blunt assessment of a potential Republican field.

"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," Kennedy said.

"And I think I could do a better job. I would consider running, but right now I'm running for re-election."

Kennedy was also asked why Republican voters should choose him over Vice President JD Vance if both ultimately seek the presidency.

He declined to weigh in directly, saying, "Oh, I'm not going to talk about another potential candidate. I'm just not there yet."

Kennedy said he assumed Vance would run and added that he believed "it'll be good for both parties to have to have a full field."

Affordability will drive midterms, John Kennedy says

The Louisiana senator also addressed the Republican Party's prospects in the upcoming midterms 2026, saying he expects the elections to be close and affordability to be the biggest issue.

"I think the biggest issue is cost of living," Kennedy said.

 "I think we have to tell the American people the truth."

He said voters are frustrated with Washington leaders and Congress, arguing that many feel political leaders "have let them down."

Kennedy was responding to fellow Republican Sen John Curtis of Utah, who said Republicans had failed to adequately address affordability before leaving for recess.

Kennedy also disputed the idea that voters can simply ignore their financial pressures, saying, "Telling them not to believe their own lying checkbooks is not going to work."

Senator Kennedy criticizes Trump over Tom Cotton's phone number

Kennedy also criticized President Donald Trump over his decision to post Arkansas Republican Sen Tom Cotton's cellphone number after Cotton opposed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent.

"Daylight savings time is not one of them," Kennedy said after describing some congressional disputes as having "existential significance for the future of Western civilization."

Kennedy said Cotton feels strongly about the issue and praised him as "a rock star senator."

But he said Trump's decision to publish Cotton's number was counterproductive.

"I don't think he should have given out Tom's cell phone number," Kennedy said. "I don't think that's going to help convince Tom."

Kennedy also said he plans to campaign in several states, including Texas, Michigan and Ohio, and said he runs his political operation independently.