EDITORIAL – Why Michelle Obama should run for president, but won’t

An ArmchairMayor editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

THE WRONG SPOUSE is running for president of the United States.

Watching the train wreck that is Donald Trump struggle through Sunday night’s presidential debate, we were once again reminded of the fact that the only reason he’s even in the race is that Hillary Clinton is almost — but not quite — as unpopular as he is.

It was both painful and encouraging to see Trump fumble an opportunity to properly apologize for once bragging about groping females, threaten Clinton with jail if he’s elected, and launch awkward and ineffective attacks on her.

Painful because he still has a chance of being president of our southern neighbour; encouraging because every time he opens his mouth he surely must degrade that chance.

But how sad that the choice has come to this. One can’t help but wish it was Michelle Obama running for president instead of Hillary Clinton. Since family dynasties are not uncommon either in Canada or the U.S. — we had George Bush, G.W. Bush and Jeb Bush, plus the Kennedy’s and now the Clintons in the U.S.; W.A.C. Bennett and Bill Bennett and now the Trudeaus in Canada — bringing another Obama into the picture isn’t unreasonable to consider.

Michelle Obama certainly has the credentials. She’s smart, likable, articulate and experienced. She’s a lawyer by profession, has worked in the field of civic politics, has been an associate dean of a university and the executive director of community relations and external affairs in a hospital. She was also a board member for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

During her husband’s senate and presidential campaigns, and for two terms as First Lady, she’s been one of his greatest assets, serving an essential role on the hustings and in the White House. Among her causes have been health and wellness, and the welfare of military vets.

Michelle Obama has one more highly attractive credential — she has no baggage. She has no email scandals, she doesn’t insult people, pays her taxes and is an inspiration. Her words “When they go low, we go high” at the Democratic national convention are often quoted as how politics should be conducted.

One can imagine how much better the world would be right now if she was running for president. There’s one problem with that scenario, other than the fact it’s too late for that.

Sadly, she’s not interested in the job.

“I will not run for president,” she said earlier this year. “No, nope, not going to do it.” Her priorities in life, she said, can better be met in any other role than president.

So, we can only imagine what might have been, and instead gird for what will be.

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