Colman: A FASCINATING IDEA

Biden can not win re-election.  That leaves Gavin Newsom, who has to explain the collapse of California.  Or Michelle Obama, who has to explain her hate for America and her refusal to take a stand against Hamas—she does not want them ended, just a “ceasefire”.

Both would have to explain away the Biden economic, education, immigration and foreign policy.  That is impossible.

So, my friend Dr. Colman is presenting the best case scenario for Michelle.  In fact, she is going against the values and principles of the American people in 2024.  Where is her demand the borders be closed?  Where is her demand that we become oil independent again?  Why does she want to keep our children hostage in failed government schools?

A FASCINATING IDEA

By Richard Colman, Exclusive to the California Political News and Views,  1/22/24   www.capoliticalnewsandviews.com

For Democrats to win the presidency in 2024, two things must happen.

First, President Joe Biden must not seek re-election.

Second, a candidate with broad voter appear must run.

Biden can be forced out if so-called spontaneous groups start agitating for his withdrawal.  It’s not easy, but it can be done. 

On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson told the nation that he would not seek re-election.  Johnson was besieged by massive protests over the Vietnam war.  If enough Americans say they don’t want another term for Biden, he might drop out.

If Biden does drop out, whom can the Democrats nominate who could unite the party and win the presidency?

The answer is Obama –- not Barack, but Michelle, the former First Lady.

Michelle would have to overcome two main obstacles:  She is of African-American heritage.  She is a woman.

The African-American heritage can be overcome.  In 2008 and 2012, Barack Obama, who is part African-American, won two presidential elections.

Michelle’s female sex may be harder to overcome, but Americans have elected many women to such places as the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Unlike Donald Trump, a former Republican president, Michelle is not a polarizing figure.  She has never been indicted.  She has an engaging personality.  She has not, for criticism, singled out any group such as Latinos and Muslims. 

She has not insulted people as Trump has done.  Trump has insulted Democrats, Republicans, handicapped individuals, and others.

To win the presidency, Michelle would have to run a centrist campaign.  She would have to appeal to many American groups, such as Caucasian men and women who lean toward a centrist presidency. 

A good model for Michelle might be Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, in which he, as a Democrat, ran a centrist campaign, did not threaten business, and was tough on crime.  In 1992, Clinton defeated an incumbent president, George Herbert Walker Bush.  Clinton was a strong supporter of high-technology firms like those in California’s Silicon Valley.

Michelle, as Barack did, would have to convince Americans that they have nothing to fear about her candidacy.

Michelle would have to appeal to certain American power centers:  the news media; Wall Street; Hollywood; the publishing industry; the educational establishment; and working American families.

Jewish voters, who have not supported a Republican presidential candidate in the last 100 years, are likely to support Michelle if she were a strong supporter of Israel, a nation now at war with its Arab neighbors. 

In five states, the Jewish vote, in a close election, is pivotal:  New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Illinois; and California. 

Until recent years, the Jewish vote was pivotal in Ohio and Florida.  These two states may be hard for Michelle to win.

Michelle might propose that no discussions with Arab leaders could occur until and unless all Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, the date that Hamas attacked Israel, were released unharmed.  On that date, Hamas, an anti-Israel group based in the Gaza Strip, attacked the Jewish nation.

In her campaign, Michelle would have to finesse certain issues, such as affirmative action and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion).  She could say that, if elected, she would appoint a special commission to make recommendations about affirmative action and DEI. 

As president, Barack Obama appointed the Simpson-Bowles commission on ways to balance the federal budget.  Simpson-Bowles made many specific recommendations, but the commission’s findings were ignored.

Michelle could promise to reduce the national debt, now $34 trillion.  The last president to reduce the national debt was Bill Clinton, who, from 1997 to 2000, balanced four consecutive federal budgets.

Michelle could promise balanced budgets, low inflation, and full employment.

Michelle could say that, if elected, she would support America’s allies in Europe and Asia.  Trump, president from 2017 to 2021, was ambivalent about supporting such allies.

On international economics, Michelle could say that she supports trade with friendly nations like Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. 

Michelle has nationwide name recognition.  She is 60 years old –- much younger than Donald Trump, who, if re-elected, would be 78.

Nothing in politics is guaranteed, but if Democrats want to win the presidency in 2024, Michelle might be hard to beat.