Michelle Obama has everything the Democrats are lacking
The symbols stand out brilliantly for Donald Trump. Not least because his most promising opponent so far has no political ambitions. But Michelle Obama would have been the perfect counter-candidate.
If there's one thing Democrats agree on, it's that in the November presidential election, nothing less than the democracy of the USA is at stake. This may sound like the usual campaign hyperbole, but it's not entirely wrong. Trumpism is reaching for power again, and the democratic system is not an immutable bedrock consensus but a malleable tool.
This is evident in the Capitol storm incited by Donald Trump, and it's evident in the "Project 2025" developed by extreme conservative thought leaders, from which Trump publicly distanced himself but to which many of his advisors contributed. Their planned deconstruction of the American political apparatus is alarmingly transparent. Amidst this rising authoritarianism, President Joe Biden tried to position himself as a bulwark against tyranny, but then, after intense internal party pressure, he said: "I'm not doing it."
Vice President Kamala Harris steps in as Biden's deputy. She may be the most obvious choice, perhaps even the logical consequence, to put out the fire that the personality doesn't fan. As Vice President, she was largely invisible, and it's unclear whether she has the ability to convince the majority of voters. Declared competitors express their support, however, partly to demonstrate unity, and partly because they likely calculate better chances for the 2028 election instead of running against Trump in this year as a backup candidate. Democratic salvation looks different.
The perfect counter-candidate
If only there was someone who could harness the support of the voters, who could use their spirit and popularity to take on Trump. Well, there is: Michelle Obama. According to a poll published at the beginning of July, she could crush Trump. Michelle Obama embodies everything needed to counter the brash Republican: She has charisma, radiates values, empathy, and seriousness. Several years ago, a survey named her the most admired woman in the USA.
The fact that she has never held political office is no obstacle in the person-centered and emotionally charged US election campaign, as Donald Trump has shown. She would bring fresh air to the stale, geriatric political landscape, and at the same time, she would have a built-in base: The Democrats are running out of time, and Michelle Obama wouldn't have to establish herself in the broad American public but would already have rallied various voter demographics. Only she could quickly forget the disgraceful debate about Biden's age with a "Yes we can" renaissance.
Michelle Obama doesn't want it
The catch: She doesn't want it. Michelle Obama has repeatedly and unequivocally stated in recent years that she has no political ambitions, despite her disdain for Trump. We can't blame her for that. Her denials, however, were always tied to the wishes of her admirers. She never had a real reason to enter the political fray. Not when Biden, after all, is closely connected to the Obama family, challenged Trump, and ultimately defeated him. Not when Biden's re-election was still considered a foregone conclusion.
Now the situation is completely different. The last few weeks have revealed Democrats. Biden's withdrawal, as expected, leaves a vacuum that can only be filled by a stopgap measure. Meanwhile, Trump doesn't just think he's on the winning street, he seems to be almost in the goal.
Ex-President Barack Obama recently provided some interpretative space in his statement on Biden's withdrawal. Many saw his failure to mention Kamala Harris as a sign of a change of heart from his wife. However, there is no concrete evidence for this. Michelle Obama remains merely a projection surface: as a healing counterbalance to Trump, as a desperately needed savior of the threatened Democracy.
- Despite Michelle Obama's lack of political ambitions, she would have been an outstanding counter-candidate against Donald Trump in the US Presidency Election 2024, as suggested by a poll.
- As the Democrats grapple with Biden's withdrawal, Michelle Obama's disinterest in politics becomes a challenge, given her potential to sway voters and challenge Trump's authoritarianism.
- If Michelle Obama were to enter the race, she would not only bring fresh air to the political landscape but also tap into the Democratic voters who have already rallied behind her and her husband, Barack Obama.
- The Republicans, recognizing Michelle Obama's popularity, may try to discredit her campaign by exploiting her lack of political experience, a strategy used against candidates like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the past.
