Keith Koffler speculates about a Senate run for First Lady Michelle Obama:
Speculation about a possible political future for Michelle Obama has naturally centered on the White House. But that’s the wrong place — at least for now.
Illinois has a Republican senator, Mark Kirk, and he is up for reelection in 2016. He’ll be formidable, particularly given his brave recovery from a stroke. But Illinois is a heavily Democratic state, and the race could be close.
No Illinois Democratic candidate would bring the star power and nationwide fundraising capacity that Obama would.
She has proven herself a superb speaker on behalf of her pet projects and is now a veteran campaigner for her husband. She’s also remained highly popular — even as the president’s ratings have plummeted.
She could represent the Democrats’ best chance to pick up a desperately needed — and winnable — seat.
I think that Michelle Obama would win this Senate seat in a walk if she chose to run. The problem is, I sincerely doubt that she wants to be a candidate. I’ve never heard her say anything that would lead me to believe that wants to hit the campaign trail. Then there’s the question of whether she would like the job of U.S. senator or not. Here I am more ambivalent. It could be that she’d enjoy being a legislator. She certainly has a variety of interests she could pursue.
On the other hand, the place has been such a sad, dysfunctional joke over the last four years that Ms. Obama might want nothing to do with those clowns.
What do you think?
