In a sea of political speculation, a voice of experience speaks out.
Karl Rove, the former Deputy Chief of Staff under George W. Bush, recently shared his thoughts on the buzzing rumors about Michelle Obama potentially stepping in to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election, labeling such speculations as sheer lunacy.
Speculation has been rife about the future of the Democratic ticket, fueled by concerns over Joe Biden's recent gaffes and dwindling popularity among voters. At the heart of these rumors lies the figure of Michelle Obama, admired by many for her charisma and advocacy but consistently distancing herself from any political ambitions.
According to Karl Rove, the thought of Michelle Obama running for president is far from reality. Rove emphasized her expressed disinterest in politics, citing her writings. "No — look, she hates politics. Read her autobiography," Rove shared on "Varney & Co."
This discourse is not new. In 2020, Rove had to dismantle similar theories proposing Joe Biden's replacement by then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, suggesting Michelle Obama could be his vice-presidential pick. According to Rove, such theories undermine the political process and neglect the genuine dispositions of those speculated about, like Obama's reluctance to engage in politics.
The idea of Michelle Obama as a possible nominee brings to the fore the precarious balance between political ambition and personal disenchantment. "She didn't want her husband to run for the [Illinois] State Senate. She didn't want him to run for the presidency. She's not a political animal," Rove elaborated, highlighting the profound personal convictions that distance Michelle Obama from the prospect of a presidential run.
Critics of the speculation argue it could be seen as an attempt to secure a third term by proxy for Barack Obama, a notion Rove believes would find little favor with the electorate. "People would say that's Barack trying to get a third term as president and they wouldn't go for it," he stated, pointing to the complex dynamics of political perceptions.
Joe Biden's potential reelection campaign is not without its hurdles. Rove points out a series of gaffes, including a claim of having spoken with the deceased French President Francois Mitterrand. Such incidents have fueled concerns about Biden's viability as a candidate and have led to speculation within his own party about the need for a new leader.
The historical context of party nominations, like the contentious 1964 GOP convention, serves as a reminder of how internal divisions can profoundly impact the political landscape. In this context, Rove suggests Biden's family, particularly figures like Jill Biden or Valerie Biden-Owens, might counsel him to step aside for the sake of his legacy.
Rove speculated:
Something inside me says somebody is going to wake up on that side, Jill Biden or maybe his sister, Valerie Biden-Owens and say, ‘You know, Joe, this is not the way for you to go down in the history books. Step aside and let somebody else be chosen at the convention.
Despite these concerns, Joe Biden is considered by some, including himself, as the key figure capable of contesting Donald Trump successfully. "Joe Biden thinks he is the only person who can beat Donald Trump in the Democratic Party. He may be the only person who can lose to Donald Trump in the Democratic Party," Rove concluded, underlining the critical stakes of the upcoming election.
Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff under George W. Bush, has voiced skepticism over the speculation that Michelle Obama might replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for the presidential election, calling it baseless.
He cites Michelle Obama's own expressions of disinterest in politics and her past reluctance to see her husband run for political office, reinforcing her stance as non-political. The rumors come amid concerns over Joe Biden's recent gaffes and questions about his reelection campaign's viability, with Rove hinting at potential internal discussions within Biden's circle about stepping aside for the sake of his legacy.
Rove's comments reflect the complexities of political speculation and the importance of personal dispositions in political ambitions, even as Biden views himself as a key contender against Donald Trump.
