New york: Former first lady Michelle Obama has expressed her belief that the United States is still not prepared to elect a female president, stating that Americans are ‘not ready for a woman’ to assume the Oval Office.
According to Anadolu Agency, Obama’s remarks were made during a conversation with actress Tracee Ellis Ross at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on November 5, an event linked to the promotion of her new book, “The Look.” A video of the discussion was subsequently uploaded to Obama’s YouTube channel, as reported by The Washington Post.
Addressing ongoing speculation about her potential candidacy for the presidency, Obama firmly dismissed the notion. ‘Don’t even look at me about running because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not. So don’t waste my time,’ she stated, reiterating her lack of interest in a White House bid.
Obama went on to underscore the persistence of gender biases in American politics, noting that ‘there’s still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman,’ and referencing past elections as a testament to this sentiment.
Despite her reluctance to enter the political fray as a candidate, Obama continues to wield considerable influence within the Democratic Party, actively participating in campaigns during recent election cycles.
In the previous year’s presidential race, she endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris and urged male voters to reflect on the potential consequences of re-electing Donald Trump, particularly concerning reproductive rights. ‘Fellas. before you cast your votes, ask yourselves, what side of history do you want to be on?’ she implored at the time.