Would-be president, say, apt to speak frankly, scoffed (9)
I believe the answer is:
candidate
But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?
(Other definitions for candidate that I've seen before include "Job applicant or political aspirant" , "Applicant, nominee 99)" , "Person who seeks appointment to an office" , "Detain cad seeking appointment" , "prospective employee?" .)