- The former first lady retains star power in Democratic politics despite largely retreating from the political scene in recent years
- “As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed numerous times over the years, she will not be running for president,” her office said
Michelle Obama has ruled herself out as a presidential candidate, quashing speculation that she would step in at the last minute to offer Democrats an alternative to the aging Joe Biden.
The former first lady retains star power in Democratic politics despite largely retreating from the political scene in recent years.
“As former first lady Michelle Obama has expressed numerous times over the years, she will not be running for president,” Crystal Carson, her office's communications director, told NBC News.
'Woman. Obama is supporting the re-election campaign of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Michelle Obama has ruled herself out as a presidential candidate, quashing speculation that she would step in at the last minute to offer Democrats an alternative to the aging Joe Biden
The former first lady retains star power in Democratic politics despite largely retreating from the political scene in recent years
“As former first lady Michelle Obama has expressed numerous times over the years, she will not be running for president,” Crystal Carson, her office's communications director, told NBC News
A recent Rasmussen poll found that nearly 50 percent of Democrats favor replacing Biden at the top of the ticket, and of those, more Democrats would like to see Michelle Obama (20 percent) than Vice President Kamala Harris (15 percent).
However, the 60-year-old has repeatedly stated that she has no interest in running for office and admitted that she is “scared” about the outcome of this year's election.
“What’s going to happen in this next election?” I’m afraid of what could happen because our leaders matter. “Who we choose, who speaks for us, who holds the bully pulpit, it influences us in ways that people sometimes take for granted,” Obama told Jay Shetty on his “On Purpose” podcast in January.
Last year, Obama explained to Oprah why she wouldn't run for office.
“Politics is hard,” she said in a Netflix special. “And the people who get into it… you have to want it.” It has to be in your soul because it's so important. It is not in my soul.'
In a BBC interview in 2022, she said that she “detests” questions about the presidential candidacy.
But NBC reports that the former first lady was upset when Jill Biden excluded her as her husband's running mate in the 2020 campaign.
When asked by CNN if Obama was an option, Jill Biden laughed and said, “You know, I would love for Michelle to agree to that.” But I – you know, I think she's had enough of politics. I don't know. She is so good at everything she does. That would be – that would be wonderful.”
When asked by CNN if Obama was an option, Jill Biden laughed and said, “You know, I would love for Michelle to agree to that.” But I – you know, I think she's had enough of politics. I don't know. She is so good at everything she does. That would be – that would be wonderful.'
Two sources said Obama wasn't happy with that answer and wanted Biden to have another one on hand that wouldn't close that door if the question was asked again.
Speculation about a replacement for Joe Biden reached its peak last month when special counsel Robert Hur released a report on Biden's mishandling of classified documents, describing him as “senior” and “forgetful” and therefore in favor of indictment in the case was unsuitable.