Michelle Obama's Potential 2024 Bid Creates Unrest in Democratic Party
As President Joe Biden faces growing criticism within his party, some Democrats are urging former First Lady Michelle Obama to challenge him in the 2024 primaries. Despite her husband's public support for Biden's re-election, insiders claim that a "full-scale push" is underway to recruit Michelle Obama as the Democratic candidate, given Biden's increasingly unpopular administration.
A source from Washington D.C. commented on the lack of enthusiasm surrounding a potential second Biden term, with recent polls indicating that 54% of Americans believe he is performing poorly. "Someone else has to take on the party mantle and stop the current Republican frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, in his tracks," the source said, per Globe.
A party operative expressed confidence that Michelle Obama's candidacy could transform the general election from a fierce battle to a near-guaranteed victory for the Democrats. "There are very few people on the American political landscape who have the star power and charisma and brand name that Michelle would bring to the table," the operative stated.
Moreover, while the Biden family is embroiled in financial and bribery scandals, Michelle Obama remains unblemished. A Democratic operative predicts that Biden's reputation will suffer further as the GOP continues to scrutinize his past actions.
Biden's decision to run for re-election in 2024 has caused a rift within the Democratic Party, despite endorsements from influential figures like former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Donors are considering other candidates, such as declared candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., while some elected officials, like New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have refrained from endorsing Biden.
A Republican strategist highlighted Biden's weaknesses, including his age, cognitive decline, border crisis, historic inflation, and the mishandled Afghanistan withdrawal. These issues make Biden a vulnerable candidate for Republicans to exploit.
However, Michelle Obama's supporters face significant challenges, particularly because her husband has already sided with Biden. A political analyst suggested that Barack Obama could change his stance if Biden's poll numbers continue to drop or if he makes another significant blunder. In the meantime, Michelle Obama's political standing will likely grow stronger as she remains noncommittal about a White House run.
Although Michelle Obama has previously dismissed any interest in running for president, focusing instead on expanding her media presence, a Democratic operative said, "she knows the stakes of a Republican victory and she's not one to shirk her duty to the country." Tensions between the Bidens and the Obamas, stemming from Biden's absence at Barack's 60th birthday party, may also influence Michelle's decision to challenge the incumbent president.