Former First Lady Michelle Obama also emerged as a top Democratic contender against Trump if Biden Steps Down
An Ipsos/Reuters poll released Wednesday revealed that Michelle Obama is the sole Democrat capable of defeating Donald Trump in a hypothetical election should President Joe Biden withdraw from the race.
The poll indicated that Obama would garner around 50% of the vote, compared to Trump’s 39%. A significant portion of respondents either expressed uncertainty or stated they would not vote.
In contrast, Biden, whose candidacy faces uncertainty following a contentious debate with Trump last week, was shown in a dead heat with the Republicans at 40% each.
Other potential Democratic contenders polled lower than Trump: Vice President Kamala Harris trailed Trump at 43%-42%, California Gov. Gavin Newsom lagged behind at 42%-39%, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer trailed at 41%-36%.
Despite the favorable poll results, Obama’s chances of entering the race are remote, as she has repeatedly stated her intention not to run for office. As recently as March, she reiterated this stance in response to speculation about replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee this year.
Obama, known for her advocacy on issues such as healthy eating and gender equality, remains one of the most popular political figures in the US.
During the 2020 election cycle, Biden expressed strong support for Obama, stating he would choose her as his running mate “in a heartbeat” if she decided to run.
While she has maintained a lower profile in this year’s election, Obama campaigned vigorously for Biden in 2020, delivering a keynote speech at the DNC convention where she warned against the risks of a second Trump term.
Former President Barack Obama has publicly supported Biden despite concerns over his debate performance but reportedly acknowledged privately that Biden’s path to reelection has become challenging after the debate.