A recent poll shows that former First Lady Michelle Obama would decisively win against former President Donald Trump.
As the New York Post reported, the Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates Michelle Obama outperforms other Democratic candidates, including President Biden, in a hypothetical match against Trump.
According to the poll released on Tuesday, Obama would triumph over Trump by 11 percentage points. The survey, conducted between July 1-2, reveals that 50% of registered voters would support Obama in contrast to 39% for Trump.
Meanwhile, other Democratic figures, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, do not fare as well against the ex-president.
Biden, who has been actively campaigning for reelection, finds himself in a tie with Trump at 40% each, according to the same survey. Trump holds a one-point edge over Harris, leading 43% to 42%.
Additionally, Trump would also emerge victorious in matchups against Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois.
Michelle Obama has distanced herself from the Biden administration's reelection efforts and has made no public indications of running for office. She has maintained close personal relationships, notably with Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, while expressing displeasure at Buhle's exclusion by the first family.
Despite her favorable polling, the former first lady has chosen not to lend her support to the reelection campaign. In a 2022 interview, she explicitly refrained from endorsing Biden’s candidacy.
Conversely, former President Barack Obama has been more involved, appearing at fundraisers for Biden during the 2024 election cycle and supporting him after a lackluster debate against Trump.
Barack Obama has urged Democrats to back Biden despite his subpar debate performance on June 27. Publicly, he simply remarked the performance was "bad." However, privately, he has voiced doubts about President Biden's chances of securing victory, having questioned his capabilities since his 2020 presidential bid.
On Wednesday, President Biden reassured his campaign staff of his intent to remain in the race, even as he acknowledged concerns over his declining poll numbers. Biden's team remains optimistic about the campaign despite the hurdles highlighted by the recent poll results.
Michelle Obama’s hypothetical candidacy highlights a significant figure in the Democratic Party who remains a formidable presence despite her lack of political aspirations. With a notable margin of support, she remains a beacon for many within the party, seen as a potential unifier and strong candidate.
In conclusion, a Reuters/Ipsos poll underscores Michelle Obama’s theoretical lead over Trump by a noteworthy margin. Biden, while contending with static poll numbers and internal party hesitations, faces a competitive reelection campaign. Despite maintaining a distance from the Biden administration, Michelle Obama’s enduring popularity reflects a significant facet of the Democratic Party's potential strategies.
