With the Democratic slate of candidates looking weaker by the day, a lot of people are whispering about Michelle Obama entering the race. She would be a much stronger opponent, I think, than any of the current crop of hopefuls, and the idea of her getting in has some on the Right worried.
I don’t think she’ll come in. She is quite possibly the only person that could beat Trump in 2020 — not one of the others stands a chance, I think — but there is too great a chance that she could lose. It would make a terrible dent in the Obama halo if she were to run and be beaten by Donald Trump, and I think that she and her husband will decide that the risk is too great. Barring some major “black swan” event, the Democrats are simply not going to take back the White House in 2020.
The reasoning seems obvious to me. Trump is a one-off — there really isn’t anybody like him — and Michelle Obama is only 55. Four years from now there will be no Trump in the picture, and it is not at all obvious that there is anyone out there who can carry the torch for the GOP after Trump relinquishes it. The best way for Team Obama to play it — if they have any desire even to try, which they very well might not — will be for her to enjoy her vast and newly acquired riches, bide her time, and let things ripen for 2024.
Michelle Obama might be a very valuable “hole card” for the Democrats. It would be folly to play it when Trump has such a strong hand.
That said, I hope she makes the fatal mistake of failing to read this post, and getting in four years too soon. I would much prefer to see her lose now than win in 2024.
6 Comments
The best way for Team Obama to play it — if they have any desire even to try, which they very well might not…
That’s it: Michelle doesn’t have the desire.
As you indicate, the Dems are poised to win in 2024, so all the hungry ones will be clamoring at full strength.
In 2024 both political parties will have an identity crisis I think. There is a realignment going on now and will continue if Trump wins again. May be a good thing.
She may have no choice if Barak needs a pardon
She would definitely get the ugly female vote just like Hildebeast if she ran.
I’m hoping Trump Jr. runs in 2024 since he should be old enough. Trump is imperfect as hell but this is as good as it’s going to get before the country breaks apart.
Since the Federal Gov is bankrupt anyway, I’m open to a discussion of a TEXIT.
A Michelle Obama candidacy would be the pinnacle of Democrat cynicism: a blatant play to gin-up female and African-American turnout while enjoying the deflection of all criticism, fair and otherwise, behind Michelle’s race and sex. This, in the form of who would most certainly be the most unqualified and perhaps least intelligent presidential candidate that the country has ever seen in its history. Such a blatant play on Obama nostalgia and race and gender would most certainly accelerate the centrifugal forces already at play.
I think Sen. Hawley of Missouri can take up the baton Malcolm. He’s intelligent and an individual with strong character, who unlike Trump would really be able to articulate various “America First” themes in a way that moves undecided voters and those in the middle open to persuasion (admittedly a small portion of the American population, but they are out there, individuals repulsed by the current president’s grating persona).