Following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from his re-election campaign, a wave of support has emerged online for Michelle Obama as a potential Democratic candidate to face Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. The former First Lady, revered for her grace and eloquence during her tenure from 2009 to 2017, is being hailed as the only person capable of uniting the party and defeating the former President.
Joe Biden, 81, announced his decision to step aside in a heartfelt letter shared on social media. He stated, “While my plan was to seek re-election, I now believe that stepping down and focusing on my presidential duties for the rest of my term is in the best interest of both my party and the country.” Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate, but this endorsement has not quelled the growing calls for Michelle Obama to enter the race.
Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, a vocal supporter of Michelle Obama, took to social media to express his belief in her candidacy. He stated, “At this point, only Michelle can beat Trump. That is a fact,” reflecting the opinions of numerous others who consider Obama’s high name recognition and voter appeal make her a strong candidate.”
Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota added to the chorus of support, saying, “Michelle Obama might be the only individual capable of uniting the party and giving it a significant boost due to her well-known popularity.” Social media has been inundated with calls for Obama to run, with many asserting that she is the sole candidate who can secure a Democratic win.
One user on social media tweeted, “Michelle Obama… your country needs you… PLEASE enter the presidential race… you can beat him, and just like your husband was the first Black president, you can be the first Black woman president… a true power couple.” Another user posted, “Michelle Obama is the only one who’ll defeat Trump.”
Despite the groundswell of support, Michelle Obama has consistently expressed her disinterest in running for political office. In various public statements, she has emphasized that “Politics is hard” and that it is not “in [her] soul” to pursue a political career. Her office recently reiterated this stance, stating that she will not run for president in 2024.
Recent political developments, including President Biden’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and his decision to step down, have fueled speculation about Obama’s potential candidacy. However, Biden’s endorsement of Harris surprised many, with senior campaign and White House staff being informed just moments before the public announcement.
Barack Obama, in a statement following Biden’s announcement, expressed his and Michelle’s “love and gratitude” to Biden and his wife Jill for their leadership. Still, he did not mention Michelle’s potential candidacy. This omission has not deterred her supporters, who believe she is the best hope for the Democratic Party.
The online betting market has also significantly shifted in response to these developments. According to data from the prediction market platform Polymarket, bettors now believe that Obama has an 11% chance of replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee, making her the second favorite after Kamala Harris. This uptick in betting odds reflects the public’s desire for a strong, unifying candidate who can energize the party and defeat Trump.
In a poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, 24% of Democrat-leaning likely voters preferred Michelle Obama over any other candidate. The former First Lady was followed by Biden at 20%, with other potential candidates trailing behind. This indicates a strong base of support for Obama within the Democratic electorate.
While Michelle Obama has shown no indication that she plans to enter the race, the calls for her to do so highlight the Democratic Party’s search for a candidate who can unify the party and present a solid challenge to Donald Trump. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Obama will reconsider her stance and heed the calls of her supporters.
