A committee to draft Michelle Obama as Joe Biden’s running mate has formed and is already pushing attention to the former first lady in hopes she gets the spot.
Records at the Federal Election Committee said the “Committee to Draft Michelle Obama” filed late last month.
A memo to the media today said that the goal of the group is to encourage Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, to pick Obama. Biden recently said that he would pick her “in a heartbeat,” though she has expressed no interest in the position.
Over the weekend, Biden said that he is considering “significantly more than one black woman” for his vice presidential pick. Others thought to be under consideration are California Sen. Kamala Harris and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
“The aim of this campaign is to build on the substantial grassroots support for a potential Michelle Obama candidacy and help garner media attention for a vice presidential nominee who has the power to beat Donald Trump,” said the memo from the draft group.
“The Committee to Draft Michelle Obama firmly believes that Ms. Obama will not only benefit the Democratic ticket this November but also help lead this country to be more just and caring,” it added.
Obama is the most popular woman in politics, according to a recent poll. She is also popular in vice presidential polls, and political betting sites have her odds surging. Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama were in office from 2009-2017.
The press release was not signed, but the FEC filing gives a Chicago area and Nyack, New York, address.
The group cited the coronavirus in pushing for Obama. “The coronavirus pandemic has reminded the American people of the importance of electing individuals that care about everyday Americans. We believe that Ms. Obama’s perspective will go a long way towards building an honest, people-centered campaign this year as well as positively informing policy in the White House in years to come,” said the group.
It also pledged to swing its support to whomever Biden picks, even if it isn’t Obama.
