Is America ready for a female president? According to former First Lady Michelle Obama, the answer is likely no, at least for now. She suggests that the nation still has considerable ground to cover in terms of societal acceptance, referencing the unsuccessful presidential bids of figures like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.
During a book promotion event, Obama shared her candid assessment: “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready. We’ve got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still many men who do not feel they can be led by a woman.” She highlighted that a primary obstacle is the continued lack of adequate pathways and opportunities for women to reach the presidency.
Although Michelle Obama is a significant figure in Democratic politics, she has consistently rejected any notion of seeking the presidency herself. She confirmed this in 2016, stating, “I will not run for president. No, nope, not going to do it.” Despite her firm stance, the possibility of her running continues to be a subject of recurrent speculation, especially during major election cycles, such as the recent 2024 contest.
Obama was a vocal advocate for Kamala Harris during the last election cycle. Addressing a rally in Michigan, she passionately urged voters to protect women’s health and rights and to reject Donald Trump. She declared, “Please, please do not hand our fates over to the likes of Trump, who knows nothing about us and has shown deep contempt for us. A vote for him is a vote against our health and our worth.”