Despite recent speculation, experts say it’s next to impossible for Michelle Obama to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee for the 2024 election.
Following Biden’s criticized performance in the first 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta, some have floated the idea of Obama stepping in. However, Crystal Carson, Obama’s director of communications, reaffirmed the former first lady’s stance:
“As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president.”
Political science experts echo this sentiment. Todd Landman, a professor at the University of Nottingham, told Newsweek:
“For personal and procedural reasons, I think it is highly unlikely that Michelle Obama would replace President Biden.”
Mark Shanahan from the University of Surrey was even more emphatic:
“The chances of Michelle Obama replacing Joe Biden on the Democrat ticket are somewhere between hugely unlikely and a plain, flat zero.” He added, “Being at the president’s side as FLOTUS is a million miles away from being POTUS.”
Despite the debate performance raising concerns about Biden’s fitness for office, his campaign remains resolute. Seth Schuster, a Biden campaign spokesperson, stated plainly that Biden is “not dropping out.”
While bookmakers’ odds of Michelle Obama winning the 2024 election have slightly improved since the debate, experts maintain that her entering the race is improbable. Heath-Brown from the City University of New York told Newsweek:
“She has steadfastly expressed support for both President Biden and VP Harris, and I suspect she remains committed to both of them.”
The Democratic Convention, where Biden is expected to be confirmed as the nominee, starts on August 19. Barring any unexpected developments, the current president is likely to face Donald Trump in the general election on November 5.