Former Vice President Joe Biden has started putting a White House transition team together so that he doesn't end up wasting time staffing up if he defeats Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Meanwhile, Biden's campaign is planning a rollout for Michelle Obama’s endorsement, despite the lack of clarity about the role the beloved former first lady will play in his campaign.
Biden campaign’s initial plans involve focusing on remote fundraising and promoting voter registration, an insider told The Hill. The idea behind Michelle Obama and the Biden campaign is striking a perfect balance for the pop culture icon, which could prove to be a huge asset for the campaign but has shown little interest in campaign politics.
One of Obama's supporters said it was President Obama's moment this week to participate in the campaign. Mrs. Obama, the aide said, supports Joe Biden and will be keeping Americans posted on her plans. Details about the rollout's timing are still scarce.
According to a Biden aide, everyone in America knows that Michelle is probably the most popular Democratic Party member, which means, her support is a big deal. Any impending announcement would represent the immense impact her voice has.
Former Obama administration ambassador Howard Gutman says the Biden campaign will happily take whatever it can from the former first lady. As a family matter though, it remains to be seen what kind of position does her husband Barack and her daughters want her to have, Gutman adds.
The question is whether or not, Michelle's family is willing to let her be out there in the crossfire and if yes, how much bombarding her family deems tolerable. According to sources, Obama will be lending her name to an email fundraiser, probably next week and allow a direct mail campaign to use her image, while continue spearheading voter registration efforts she began as the founder of a nonpartisan nonprofit group.
Moreover, there's hearsay that Michelle Obama is planning to film a short online video showing her support for Biden. This video will adopt a lighter tone as compared to the one Barack Obama filmed earlier this week in support of Biden. The campaign requires Michelle to make appearances on virtual fundraisers from time to time.
Democrats suggest she will be contacting her celebrity friends and fundraisers who may have supported other candidates in the primary to support Biden. The sources say they are still sorting out the details and timing.