Stacey Abrams said she owes it to younger generations to be honest about her presidential ambitions.
The former Democratic nominee for Georgia governor made the comments to CBS, airing Sunday.
"It's about, you cannot have those things you refuse to dream of," she said.
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Stacey Abrams said in an interview schedule to air Sunday morning that it's important for her to be honest about wanting to run for president one day.
Rising stars in American politics generally deflect questions about White House ambitions, but Abrams argued being open about it can help younger people who may not see themselves in positions of power.
"Do I hold it as an ambition? Absolutely," she told "CBS Sunday Morning." "And even more importantly, when someone asks me if that's my ambition, I have a responsibility to say 'Yes,' for every young woman, every person of color, who sees me and decides what they're capable of based on what I think I am capable of."
"It's about, you cannot have those things you refuse to dream of," she added.
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Abrams made similar comments over the summer when she was the subject of speculation around being President Joe Biden's running mate.
She has also noted that discussions around ambition in American politics can be loaded depending on a politician's identity, with Black women facing more scrutiny for being overly ambitious.
In 2018, Abrams lost to Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the country that year. Since then, she focused on voting rights and ballot access, earning widespread credit in Democratic circles for helping flip both of the Peach State's Senate seats in early 2021.
Biden said in May that she "can be anything she wants to be, from whatever she chooses to president."
xero_art on May 7th, 2021 at 22:20 UTC »
I've always found it so dumb when politicians run for president and act like it's a sudden calling from the masses and not how they've planned the last 40+ years of their life. For one, I don't want a President that runs on a whim and I don't want one that thinks the planets have aligned to ascend them to their throne. I get the cynicism against career politicians but it's even more naive to think politicians at the national level haven't atleast dreamed of sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office.
svedka93 on May 7th, 2021 at 22:16 UTC »
If she got a higher profile position like rep senator or governor she would def have a shot at the oval barring any future scandals.
Twoweekswithpay on May 7th, 2021 at 21:28 UTC »
I definitely could see her running for President down the road. What she’s done so far has been pretty inspirational for lots of people! Hope she continues pushing ahead! 🙌🏽