I never thought I would agree with Michelle Obama, but she has a point: America doesn’t deserve her presidency. We’re a sinful nation with many problems, yet we don’t deserve an even angrier and less talented Obama.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama made headlines recently during a conversation published on her YouTube page. She stated that the country is not ready for a woman president, adding that the U.S. still has “a lot of growing up to do.”
“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.”
She continued, “You know, we got a lot of growing up to do, and there’s still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it.”
What’s surprising is that when the Obamas campaigned for Kamala Harris with a similar message, it caused backlash—notably from Black men. Yet, Michelle Obama is doubling down on this idea while addressing, for the first time in a meaningful way, the calls for her to run for president.
Some conservatives have been fixated on the possibility of Michelle Obama running for office. I have maintained that she has no interest in running. Her recent comments could be interpreted as a subtle way of expressing interest, but it seems more likely that Michelle Obama, amid ongoing complaints about feeling oppressed, knows she would struggle in a presidential race. She appears to be placing the blame on what she perceives as America’s lack of readiness for her candidacy.
Michelle Obama consistently polls well among respected public figures, similar to most First Ladies. However, on the campaign trail, her performance has been underwhelming. Her speaking style is often criticized, her attitude appears off-putting to some, and she frequently uses her platform to criticize Americans or speak about her own hardships.
If Kamala Harris faltered, Michelle Obama would likely face even greater challenges. In that sense, she may be doing her party a favor by sharing her frustrations with close friends rather than launching a campaign.