Michelle Obama’s popularity within Democratic circles and beyond is undeniable. As the spouse of former United States President Barack Obama, she left a lasting impression during her tenure as First Lady of the US, championing various social causes and maintaining a high public profile. With the political landscape in the United States having undergone a seismic shift following US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 US presidential race, Michelle Obama’s name has been frequently mentioned as a potential replacement. Her potential candidacy has stirred considerable excitement and concern among different political factions.
What are Michelle Obama’s chances? A recent Ipsos poll revealed that Michelle Obama is the only hypothetical candidate who could decisively defeat Donald Trump in a head-to-head match-up. The poll showed her leading Trump with 50 per cent to his 39 per cent, while other candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris, showed a much narrower margin or even a slight deficit against Trump. Additionally, a survey by The Center Square Voters’ Voice in collaboration with Noble Predictive Insights indicated that 24 per cent of Democrat-leaning likely voters preferred Michelle Obama over other candidates, with Kamala Harris trailing significantly at 7 per cent.
Are Republicans ‘scared’? Republican figures have also taken notice of Michelle Obama’s potential candidacy. US Senator Kevin Cramer told New York magazine that “Michelle Obama would probably be the one person that could step in and keep the party united and probably provide a little bit of a moving start because of her obvious notoriety.” Also Read : Why Joe Biden’s decision to drop out is not necessarily good news for Donald Trump Former GOP contender Vivek Ramaswamy echoed this sentiment, predicting that neither Joe Biden nor Kamala Harris would secure the Democratic nomination and leaving open the possibility for Michelle Obama to step in.
What has Michelle Obama said? Despite the widespread speculation, Michelle Obama has consistently stated her disinterest in running for office. In a Netflix special with Oprah Winfrey, she said, “Politics is hard. And the people who get into it… you’ve got to want it. It’s got to be in your soul, because it is so important. It is not in my soul.” Earlier this year, her office reaffirmed this stance to NBC News, clarifying that she had no plans to run for office in 2024.
Has Barack Obama said anything? Former US President Barack Obama’s comments have added fuel to the speculation. While praising Joe and Jill Biden, he notably refrained from endorsing Kamala Harris, saying, “For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on.” Also Read | Joe Biden exits, Kamala Harris top contender: Is America ready to vote a woman into the White House? The phrase “for now” has led some to believe that an endorsement for another candidate, possibly Michelle Obama, might be forthcoming.
What does the public want? The internet has been abuzz with discussions about Michelle Obama’s potential candidacy. Social media platforms, especially X, have seen a surge in posts advocating for her to run. One user wrote, “Please focus on Michelle Obama. Kamala will get thrown under the bus. She is the sacrificial lamb. At the convention, it will be Michelle. Please focus on her statements/behaviour for examination. We will not have enough time once she’s selected.” Political analysts and commentators have weighed in on the situation. Some believe that Michelle Obama is the Democrats’ best shot at defeating Donald Trump, given her high favorability and public appeal. Dawn Staley, a women’s basketball legend and head coach at the University of South Carolina, even made a public appeal to Barack Obama on X: “Now please let us borrow @MichelleObama for just 4 short years! First Gentleman is a good look for you!” Biden’s endorsement of Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s new nominee has not quelled the speculation about Michelle Obama. The Democratic Party now faces a critical decision. While Kamala Harris is the potential official nominee, the lingering question remains whether Michelle Obama might be a better choice to unite the party and present a formidable challenge to Donald Trump. Also Read : Obama to Pelosi, US Democrats who haven’t endorsed Kamala Harris, yet With the Democratic National Convention approaching, which reportedly begins on August 19, there is still time for a shift in strategy, potentially leading to a surprise nomination. With inputs from agencies.
