The June 27 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump sent many voters — both Democrats and Republicans — into a tailspin. After two rough election cycles in 2016 and 2020, Americans can’t believe that they are stuck voting for two men who are in their elder years. Why aren’t there younger candidates emerging for one of the most prestigious political offices in the world? That’s where Michelle Obama’s name keeps entering the chat.
Joe Biden did not have the best debate of his life against the former president and there are growing concerns about his cognitive health. Names like Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom are being tossed around to possibly replace the president in 2024 if (and that’s if) he decides to step down. However, the only person who seems to be able to beat Donald Trump right now in the polls is the former first lady.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that if “a hypothetical matchup” between Michelle and Donald Trump occurred she would have 50% of the vote, and the former president would have 39% of the vote. That’s the last thing the former first lady wants to hear because she found her White House years with Barack Obama to be some of the most challenging times in her life. This run for president isn’t a new sentiment either. Her representative had to squelch any thoughts of Michelle jumping into politics back in March.
“As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president,” her spokesperson told NBC News. “Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ re-election campaign.” As a very popular first lady, Michelle impressed many Americans with her smarts, her active role in the White House, and her loving relationship with her husband. Her practical approach to life appealed to voters, and it’s likely why there are calls for her to be the 2024 Democratic nominee.
However, Michelle has been telling us all for years that she’s done with political life. “I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it,” she told a 2016 South by Southwest audience, via CNN. While she will continue to “impact as many people as possible in an unbiased way,” she and her two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, were ready for “the constraints and the lights and the cameras” to dim a bit. “They’ve handled it (the presidency) with grace and with poise, but enough is enough,” she summed up. Michelle isn’t dipping her toes back into Washington, D.C., and Democrats will have to decide if Joe Biden is up to the task for another four years with so much at stake in the 2024 presidential election.
Before you go, click here to see Barack & Michelle Obama’s sweetest public appearances!
