Talk Elections

Will Michelle Obama ever be president? Will she try?

She seems to more politically active than most First Ladies and shes got plenty of charisma, eloquence and intelligence. But maybe too much temper and too left winged by US standards.

No.  She's not bitchy enough to be the USA's first female president.

She'll probably run for Senate.

Yeah, but that could be considered the first step, like Hillary. I was thinking long term ambition - say 8-12 years. Shes not that old, so shes got time.

She isn't going to be running for anything.

She might be appointed HHS Secretary at some point.

I doubt it. I doubt we'll see a new tradition of that in the US. It's not that much of a Banana Republic yet.

But I wouldn't particularly mind if you were right.

I don't think it's likely Michelle will seek higher office, but I wouldn't be terribly surprised if she did. She has not been nearly as influential in the White House as Hillary was, but she has pretty wide approvals and she is a genuinely smart lady.

How would she do if she ran against Kirk in 2016?

You'd think she'd win, unless Obama has a horrible time of it during his 2nd term.

"Don't cry for me, America..."

Serious question though- would there be a case where a first Lady was seen as being qualified to run for president off the bat? Would a draft movement emerge?

That would only happen if Mrs. Romney somehow became President before her husband. In that case, I would totally support the First Lady.

lol she won't run for anything.

I doubt she'll ever run for the presidency, but I can see her being elected senator or appointed to someones cabinet, a la Hillary Clinton or Elizabeth Dole (not that dole was first lady, but she was close). She seems a little too "nice" for the role, but it seems to me she has widespread respect and admiration. I don't think she's nearly as involved in major policy as Hillary was for Bill, but I still think she'd have a shot.

She doesn't seem to be all that interested in politics. She's taking on the more classic role of first lady - she likes her influence to be behind the scenes in communicating with her husband, and finding a particular cause or two to promote.  She doesn't come across as a policy person.

She's one of the more politically involved first ladies, but I don't think she's a Hillary or an Eleanor.