Michelle Obama for Senate?

[Never]

In a Reuters article, First Lady Michelle Obama is noted for having passion for various issues ranging from her school lunch program to the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria. She has also proven herself to be an adept fundraiser and public speaker.

According to the author of the article, Michelle Obama makes a viable option for the 2016 Illinois Senate race as the potential Democratic nominee against Republican Sen. Mark Kirk, the current holder of the seat up in 2016, and a poll from 2012 showing her ahead of Kirk by eleven points is provided as evidence that she would make the election very competitive.

Anyhow, my question: Does Michelle Obama seem like a plausible Senate candidate? Why or why not?

[RogueBeaver]

Definitely not, she hates electoral politics from everything I've read about her.

[moderatevoter]

What RogueBeaver said. I've heard she hates DC.

[Maxwell]

Madigan is probably more likely, but I feel like it's going to be an Illinois B-lister instead.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

The Democrats can win this race with just about anyone. Michelle Obama is not needed, and she doesn't want to run anyway.

[moderatevoter]

Madigan is probably more likely, but I feel like it's going to be an Illinois B-lister instead.

I've mentioned this here a few times, but my roommate from Chicago (who has some political connections apparently), seems very convinced that Madigan isn't interested in US Senate. He could be wrong for all I know.

[free my dawg]

Madigan is probably more likely, but I feel like it's going to be an Illinois B-lister instead.

I've mentioned this here a few times, but my roommate from Chicago (who has some political connections apparently), seems very convinced that Madigan isn't interested in US Senate. He could be wrong for all I know.

Yeah, Madigan doesn't strike me as a DC-type either.

I think Sheila Simon's going to make a run at it myself.

[bgwah]

She would be an amazing Senator, but I doubt she will do it.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Madigan's best chance was to be gov but she didnt want to take on Rutherford. She will have to deal with Vallas instead of Quinn on the Dem side for gov in 18.

I am hoping we are wrong that she wont run for senate. If she passes Simon is our best bet.
 

Obamas will surely settle on retirement after prez. Which historians will have mixed reviews on. Michelle doesnt want scrutiny too.

[Indy Texas]

Michelle isn't HRC. She's far more decent than HRC.

[LeBron]

I would love to see her run just because of how passionate, awesome and informed she is on her most pertinent issues, but she won't. Not only is she tired of Washington, but her getting elected to the Senate would only mean 12-18 more years of the same crap Barack had to deal with and not even Bo would want that. Plus even if Democrats control the Senate after 2016, Republicans would literally filibuster every bill Michelle proposed as a basis of "government fascism." In fact, the Republican cavalry of the Paul's, Cruz's, Aderholt's and Limbaugh's would love to see Michelle Obama in Washington because if she didn't run, Republicans would have to find a new way to distract themselves from actually doing their jobs and keeping the Obama's in Washington would solve that problem!

As for who will likely face Kirk, the problem with Sheila Simon is she's got to beat Topinka first which isn't a guarantee to begin with given Topinka has won statewide every time since 1994 (except in 2006) plus Simon could get hurt in her race from Quinn as well as Frerichs. White will obviously be old too run in 2016, Vallas (assuming Quinn wins re-election) will be too inexperienced which leaves Madigan as the only viable statewide candidate. I could see Giannoulias or Hynes giving another shot at Senate, though.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

She would be open to questions about hubby's fundraising. But, she isnt Hillary, but she can put it in perspective like Hilary can. Since no one has any interest in a state primed to be key to Senate maj, then Michelle may
run.

[free my dawg]

As for who will likely face Kirk, the problem with Sheila Simon is she's got to beat Topinka first which isn't a guarantee to begin with given Topinka has won statewide every time since 1994 (except in 2006) plus Simon could get hurt in her race from Quinn as well as Frerichs. White will obviously be old too run in 2016, Vallas (assuming Quinn wins re-election) will be too inexperienced which leaves Madigan as the only viable statewide candidate. I could see Giannoulias or Hynes giving another shot at Senate, though.

I think she's just doing this to keep her name in the limelight. Topinka is not beatable in this climate, and especially with Pat Quinn leading the ticket.

If she doesn't run, what about Duckworth? I think one of those two is going to win in the primary.

[Maxwell]

Duckworth has a compelling story, but I can't say her win was a majority her doing, she beat the most annoying and backward incumbent who didn't seem to give a damn if he won a second term. She lost to a much stronger non-incumbent in 2006. I doubt she would be able to beat Kirk unless its a Dem wave, which 2016 very well could be.

[Free Bird]

Maybe. Then she'll run for president in 2024, barely lose, and then be begged by desperate Democrats to run in 2032

[TX Conservative Dem]

I do NOT see Michelle Obama running for the United States Senate against Kirk in 2016.

She will prefer to move back to Chicago, Illinois and enjoy RETIREMENT.

Moderate VA Voter, what's this I've been hearing about the Obamas' pulling a Clinton and not moving back to Illinois by buying property in North Carolina ?

[henster]

Duckworth has a compelling story, but I can't say her win was a majority her doing, she beat the most annoying and backward incumbent who didn't seem to give a damn if he won a second term. She lost to a much stronger non-incumbent in 2006. I doubt she would be able to beat Kirk unless its a Dem wave, which 2016 very well could be.

What makes you think Kirk is that formidable? Duckworth would beat him even in an Republican year all any Dem has to do is run up their margins in Cook County he would've against a competent Dem in 2010.

[Maxwell]

Duckworth has a compelling story, but I can't say her win was a majority her doing, she beat the most annoying and backward incumbent who didn't seem to give a damn if he won a second term. She lost to a much stronger non-incumbent in 2006. I doubt she would be able to beat Kirk unless its a Dem wave, which 2016 very well could be.

What makes you think Kirk is that formidable? Duckworth would beat him even in an Republican year all any Dem has to do is run up their margins in Cook County, he would've lost against a competent Dem in 2010.

Kirk is an incumbent (an actual incumbent, not like John Walsh in Montana), one of the best candidates the Illinois GOP could put up, and beyond a couple of people, the Illinois Democratic party bench is actually not that great (Madigan isn't going to run, Simon is going to lose big time to Topinka, and then my case for Duckworth not being as good as some say she is). And if the Republicans do have a victory in 2014, it may signal some Dems not to go after Kirk, as a result, leaving a not so competent Dem to challenge him like in 2010.

[henster]

Duckworth has a compelling story, but I can't say her win was a majority her doing, she beat the most annoying and backward incumbent who didn't seem to give a damn if he won a second term. She lost to a much stronger non-incumbent in 2006. I doubt she would be able to beat Kirk unless its a Dem wave, which 2016 very well could be.

What makes you think Kirk is that formidable? Duckworth would beat him even in an Republican year all any Dem has to do is run up their margins in Cook County, he would've lost against a competent Dem in 2010.

Kirk is an incumbent (an actual incumbent, not like John Walsh in Montana), one of the best candidates the Illinois GOP could put up, and beyond a couple of people, the Illinois Democratic party bench is actually not that great (Madigan isn't going to run, Simon is going to lose big time to Topinka, and then my case for Duckworth not being as good as some say she is). And if the Republicans do have a victory in 2014, it may signal some Dems not to go after Kirk, as a result, leaving a not so competent Dem to challenge him like in 2010.

What makes you so sure Madigan isn't going to run? And if the Democrats lose the Senate in 2014, Kirk will be their top target because they will need every seat to win back the majority there is no way they would let him slide.

[Mr. Illini]

I don't think Michelle or Madigan will be running for Senate in 2016. Madigan is going to stick to Springfield and likely run for Governor once her father retires. Michelle is very smart and would do very well, but I do think she will want to settle down after the Obama presidency. I really hope she doesn't run in North Carolina (and idk why she would). I would feel betrayed.

If I had to draft an early line-up for the Dems, it would be Duckworth, Luis Gutierrez, Robin Kelly, and Sheila Simon if she can get past Topinka.

My early choice would be Robin Kelly, but it doesn't mean much at this point.

I don't think any of them are b-listers, btw. They're all quality candidates with great name recognition in the area and present a big threat to Senator Kirk.

I really like Kirk and would probably vote to re-elect him, but he doesn't stand much of a chance if the Dems put up a somewhat decent candidate. 2010 was an anomaly year and the candidate he faced was unexciting anyway.

[henster]

I don't think Michelle or Madigan will be running for Senate in 2016. Madigan is going to stick to Springfield and likely run for Governor once her father retires. Michelle is very smart and would do very well, but I do think she will want to settle down after the Obama presidency. I really hope she doesn't run in North Carolina (and idk why she would). I would feel betrayed.

If I had to draft an early line-up for the Dems, it would be Duckworth, Luis Gutierrez, Robin Kelly, and Sheila Simon if she can get past Topinka.

My early choice would be Robin Kelly, but it doesn't mean much at this point.

I don't think any of them are b-listers, btw. They're all quality candidates with great name recognition in the area and present a big threat to Senator Kirk.

I really like Kirk and would probably vote to re-elect him, but he doesn't stand much of a chance if the Dems put up a somewhat decent candidate. 2010 was an anomaly year and the candidate he faced was unexciting anyway.

I think Madigan would prefer being a Senator, Illinois seems like it would be a difficult state to Govern with all its problems being a Senator seems relatively easy.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Lolwut?  I don't know two people who like her, much less would vote for her.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

I don't think Michelle or Madigan will be running for Senate in 2016. Madigan is going to stick to Springfield.

If I had to draft an early line-up for the Dems, it would be Duckworth, Robin Kelly, or Simon.

My early choice would be Robin Kelly.

[Miles]

Kirk suggests Michelle Obama might run in fundraising letter.

[windjammer]

Kirk suggests Michelle Obama might run in fundraising letter.

Lol Kirk.