Chez Obama, Martha’s Vineyard
Michelle Obama appears to be the next Democrat figurehead. In a May 14 Wall Street Journal op-ed, Douglas Schoen and Andrew Stein give voice to a fear that has been haunting those deranged by the very thought of Donald Trump: “He could be elected president again in 2024.” These two savvy Democrats understand how vulnerable President Joe Biden is, both politically and medically. To prepare a “backup plan,” they speed through the likely suspects for a substitute but soon realize that none is viable. The “strongest candidate by far,” they conclude, is a seeming outlier, former first lady Michelle Obama.
As recently as April, Michelle disavowed her interest in running for president — or at least seemed to. “At no point,” she told Oprah Winfrey, “have I ever said, ‘I think I want to run.’ Ever.” Schoen and Stein hope Michelle can be persuaded. Los Angeles filmmaker Joel Gilbert believes she already has been. In his doggedly researched film and book, Michelle Obama 2024, Gilbert makes a compelling case that Michelle’s post–White House persona has been crafted for just this moment.
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