Senator (MICHELLE) Obama?

Yes, we might have another Senator Obama in our future, but this time the title of Senator may fall upon Michelle. There is no doubt that The First Lady has been just about everywhere lately. Morning talk shows, late night talk shows, and we can all recall her stint on this year’s Academy Awards. In fact, she has over 60 IMBD credits as of now and I’m sure that number will only get higher and higher. And her media splashes are not limited to TV–she has also graced more magazine covers than the highest paid super models.
Why all the recent publicity? Yes, in part she might be doing her version of a victory lap, but I feel she has higher aspirations in mind. Mrs. Obama is due to visit Chicago next week for the third time this year, and she is not talking about pet project, childhood obesity. She will be joining Mayor (and former White House chief of Staff) Rahm Emanuel at the “Joint Luncheon Meeting: Working Together to Address Youth Violence in Chicago”.
All of these activities are fueling speculation that she is considering a 2016 Senate run in Illinois.
The timing is ripe. The incumbent, Mark Kirk, suffered a serious stroke just over a year ago, and rumors abound he might not seek re-election. In a December 2012 public policy poll, she was ahead of KIrk 51-40.
I am in the camp that firmly believes she has made up her mind to follow in her husband’s footsteps. Michelle has a built-in base, and her approval numbers remain high, even when The President’s have dropped. She consistently polls above 60 in the “favorable opinion” category, and has even climbed up into the 70s.
So what does all this mean? For those of us who are once again counting down the days Obama has left in office, we might have to hit the reset button.
Written by Debby Wolf