Former Secretary of State John Kerry denied a report that he was considering making a late entrance into the Democratic presidential primary.
On Sunday, NBC News reported that an analyst for the network overheard Kerry on a phone call fretting over the “possibility of Bernie Sanders taking down the Democratic Party — down whole.”
The analyst said Kerry was also heard discussing a campaign strategy to enter the race to prevent Sanders from winning the nomination.
An entrance by Kerry could be seen as a slight against former Vice President Joe Biden, who he endorsed last December, and fuel concerns about Biden’s viability as a candidate.
However, on Sunday, Kerry denied the report in a tersely worded tweet, “I am absolutely not running for President. Any report otherwise is f—ing (or categorically) false.”
The original tweet was deleted within minutes and replaced by a similar tweet but without the expletive.
As I told the reporter, I am absolutely not running for President. Any report otherwise is categorically false. I’ve been proud to campaign with my good friend Joe Biden, who is going to win the nomination, beat Trump, and make an outstanding president.
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) February 2, 2020
Later, Kerry told NBC News that he was explaining to a friend why he “could not possibly” enter the race.
“This is a complete and total misinterpretation based on overhearing only one side of a phone conversation. A friend who watches too much cable called me wondering whether I’d ever jump into the race late in the game if Democrats were choosing an unelectable nominee. I listed all the reasons I could not possibly do that and would not — and will not under any circumstances — do that.”
Last month, Kerry said he was “very happy” to be campaigning for Biden instead of running for the nomination.
Kerry would not be the first Democrat to worry about the prospect of Sanders winning the nomination but losing in the general election.
Democratic officials are reportedly growing worried that Sanders could win the nomination and become a perfect foil for Republicans during the election.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who made a late entrance into the race, said he didn’t think any his fellow 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls could win the general election.
