Michelle Obama has not declared her intent to run for president of the United States, but her name continues to be floated as a strong possibility to replace President Joe Biden, whose poll numbers fell to an all-time low after last month’s State of the Union Address.
Though not a candidate, a recent J.L.Partners/Daily Mail poll showed that the former first lady is in a statistical dead heat with Biden in a hypothetical matchup against Trump.
The poll projected Trump’s victory over Biden by 46% to 43% and his victory over Obama by 47% to 44%.
The National Pulse reported on J.L Partners cofounder James Johnson’s assessment of the survey: “Some have been touting [Michelle Obama as] an emergency parachute for Biden for some time.”
Johnson added, “Voters are no more keen to vote for Michelle over Trump than they are for Biden, with Trump beating her overall and even with Independents.”
Those hopeful that Obama will throw her hat into the ring note that she has spent zero on a campaign, whereas Biden has spent more than $21.3 million on reelection efforts in recent months, according to a CNN report.
In February, Michelle Obama stated she was “terrified” about the potential outcome of the 2024 election. This raised speculation about a possible bid to replace Biden on the ticket — rumors she attempted to quash by saying she “was not running for president.”
But those hoping for a grand “October surprise” may be disappointed.
Michelle Obama’s communications director, Crystal Carson, issued a statement designed to quell rumors of a presidential run. She said, “As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president.”
Carson added, “Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Michelle Obama's office says the former first lady 'will not be running for president' in 2024 https://t.co/fDXBR0URC4
— Family Support Network (@lynnsoss) April 2, 2024
The Boston Globe recently confirmed the report, adding, “Michelle Obama is not coming to save us.”
Denying interest in serving as president is not new for Obama. In 2019, Michell told a young journalist writing for The National there was “zero chance” she would run for president.
Last year, she told Oprah Winfrey she was not interested in serving in the highest office, saying, “Politics is hard.”
“You’ve got to want it,” Michelle added. “It’s got to be in your soul because it is so important. It’s not in my soul.”
