John Kerry, former secretary of state and one-time Democratic presidential candidate, revealed on Tuesday that he is considering a run for president in 2020.
Kerry lost the 2004 presidential election to George W. Bush in a tight race, losing by 19 electoral votes.
During "A Conversation With John Kerry" at Harvard's John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum, Kerry made the remarks.
"I'm thinking about how the hell to get out from under that question fast," Kerry answered when asked if he had been considering a second presidential bid.
He went on to explain that while he hasn't been actively considering it, he's "not taking anything off the table."
"I'm not taking anything off the table," he responded. "I haven't been running around to the most obvious states, laying any groundwork or doing anything.
"Am I going to think about it? Yeah, I'm going to think about it," he continued.
Further, Kerry doesn't appear to be wowed by any potential Democratic contenders for the next election cycle.
"I'm perfectly ready to embrace somebody that I think can win, or who wants to address all the issues that I just talked about and understands them," he admitted. "But I'm going to be very candid here, and some people who are thinking about it aren't going to love me for it, but I'm not — I don't see the person yet that I'm prepared to say that about."
When pressed about his feelings about former Vice President Joe Biden, Kerry, 74, said that he wasn't sure that the 76-year-old Biden — whom he considers a friend, and "clearly qualified" — would run.
"I don't know if Joe's going to run, he's a great pal of mine, we've known each other 40 years," Kerry said. "He's clearly qualified, clearly great, he understands all these issues, and let's see what he decides to do."
Just ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, Kerry said that a run was not necessarily on his radar.
"I'm really not thinking about it," he said. "Talking about 2020 right now is a total distraction and waste of time. What we need to do is focus on 2018."
In September, President Donald Trump tweeted about Kerry's possible aspirations in running for president.
He wrote, "I see that John Kerry, the father of the now terminated Iran deal, is thinking of running for President. I should only be so lucky — although the field that is currently assembling looks really good — FOR ME!"
I see that John Kerry, the father of the now terminated Iran deal, is thinking of running for President. I should only be so lucky - although the field that is currently assembling looks really good - FOR ME!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2018
