Michelle Obama expressed her belief that American society is not yet ready to elect a woman as president, indicating this as her reason for not considering a presidential run. During a discussion with Tracee Ellis Ross at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on November 14, while promoting her new book, “The Look,” she candidly stated, “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready.” She emphasized that the notion of her running is misguided as she feels the country still has a long way to go regarding women in leadership roles.
Obama pointed out that there remains a significant mindset among some men who feel uncomfortable being led by women, stating, “We got a lot of growing up to do.” Despite her popularity during her husband’s presidency, she has consistently denied ambitions for political office. In recent discussions regarding potential Democratic candidates for the 2024 election, some polls have suggested that she could outperform President Joe Biden and possibly defeat Donald Trump, underscoring her enduring influence in the political landscape.
Historically, the Democratic party has nominated female candidates for the presidential office, with Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris running in the 2016 and 2020 elections, respectively; both, however, faced defeat against Trump. Michelle Obama’s reflections highlight the ongoing challenges women face in achieving the highest political office in the United States, calling attention to the need for societal evolution before a woman can successfully attain the presidency.