She’s skipping the campaign trail.
Former President Barack Obama has started campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris, while former President Bill Clinton has been holding events in key battleground states. However, one notable absence on the campaign trail has been Michelle Obama, the Democratic figure many in the party would like to see playing a more active role.
With less than three weeks until the election, Michelle Obama has been working behind the scenes to boost voter turnout in swing states but has not yet made any official appearances for Harris since the Democratic National Convention. According to sources, she has voiced concerns about security following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, which have led to heightened safety measures for all former presidents and first ladies.
Michelle Obama’s absence contrasts with her powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, where she passionately urged voters not to become complacent and to take action in the upcoming election. While her participation in Harris’s campaign events is expected before Election Day, nothing has been finalized yet, although she is anticipated to play a key role in the final stretch of the campaign.
Michelle Obama has focused her political efforts in 2024 on voter engagement through her “When We All Vote” initiative, aimed at mobilizing millions of voters. Her role as a campaign surrogate is viewed differently from that of her husband, as she has made it clear she is not interested in running for office, despite ongoing speculation. Her low profile is partly due to her distaste for partisan politics and concerns over safety following the events of January 6, 2021, when a Trump supporter was arrested near her home.
As the election nears, Michelle Obama is expected to have a significant impact in the final days of the campaign. Her unique appeal, as one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, could play a decisive role in rallying voters, with strategists believing that her presence might be most effective when deployed closer to Election Day.
