WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk in the Inaugural Parade on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African-American to be elected President of the US. He is wearing a Brooks Brothers suit and overcoat. (Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)
According to leading bookmakers, Michelle Obama is the frontrunner to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee in the event that Biden steps down before the 2024 election. Although the former first lady has not indicated an interest in a White House bid, betting company Betfair currently offers odds of 8/1 (11 percent) on Michelle Obama as the most likely alternative to Biden.
Betfair’s odds reflect growing concerns about Biden’s health, exacerbated by recent gaffes, which have sparked speculation about the possibility of him withdrawing from the race. While Biden has secured victories in Democratic primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, his challengers within the party remain on the fringe.
Sam Rosbottom, a spokesperson for Betfair, acknowledged that doubts about Biden’s mental acuity have influenced some bettors to place their money on other potential candidates. Rosbottom noted that four years ago, at the start of the primary season, Biden was not favored to win the Democratic nomination, let alone the presidency. However, the current outlook appears more favorable for Biden, with odds as short as 4/9 (69 percent) for him to secure the nomination. Nonetheless, punters have shown interest in alternative candidates should Biden decide not to run.
Michelle Obama’s rise in the betting market has been notable, starting at 22/1 and now standing at 8/1.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-California) was once as short as 5/1 but has since drifted to 12/1. Betfair’s odds align with those offered by other bookmakers, such as Paddy Power, which lists Obama at 13/2, and William Hill, which offers odds of 4/1 on her candidacy.
While the odds suggest Michelle Obama’s popularity as a potential candidate, it is crucial to remember that these predictions are speculative.
Political consultant David Axelrod remarked on CNN that the likelihood of Michelle Obama running for president is as improbable as him dancing in the Bolshoi Ballet next year. Michelle Obama herself expressed fear about the potential outcomes of the next election in her appearance on Jay Shetty‘s On Purpose podcast in January.
In recent developments, Special Counsel Robert Hur‘s report, which accused Biden of mishandling classified documents, referred to Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” Biden vehemently rejected this characterization and asserted in a press conference that his memory remains intact.
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