Former First Lady Michelle Obama has made her move in the 2024 election just days after endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Michelle Obama launched a celebrity-stuffed video campaign urging Americans to prepare for the upcoming 2024 election, amid ongoing uncertainty in the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race.
The video, released under the banner of Obama’s organization When We All Vote, features a roster of high-profile Hollywood and sports celebrities including Steph Curry, Kerry Washington, and Megan Rapinoe.
In the ad, Obama pretends to call each celebrity, asking, “Are you voting this year?”
While the initiative claims to be nonpartisan, the selection of all outspoken Democrats raised eyebrows. Obama herself mentions “reproductive rights” and “the environment” as key issues on the ballot — a dogwhistle to liberal voters.
This voter engagement push comes at a critical juncture for the Democratic Party. Following Biden’s shocking exit from the race on July 21, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party. The Obamas’ endorsement of Harris, which came nearly a week after Biden’s announcement, has been seen as a crucial boost to her campaign.
“I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala, I am proud of you,” Michelle Obama is heard telling Harris in a pre-scripted endorsement video. “This is going to be historic.”
The delay in the Obamas’ endorsement fueled speculation about potential reservations within the Democratic establishment.
Democratic officials claimed the announcement was held back to avoid overshadowing Biden’s Oval Office address.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has seized on this perceived hesitation. In a statement, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said, “There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party – namely Barack Hussein Obama – that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone ‘better.'”
As the Democratic Party scrambles to unify behind Harris, the voter engagement efforts led by Michelle Obama take on added significance. The When We All Vote initiative, which also counts Tom Hanks, Selena Gomez, and Lin Manuel Miranda among its chairs, claims it is nonpartisan and intended only to increase voter participation.
However, the political leanings of the celebrities involved – all of whom have been outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump – suggest it is meant to energize the Democratic base.
Indeed, with the Democratic nomination process set to conclude by August 7, the party faces a seriously compressed timeline to rally support around Harris. These Obama-led celebrity pushes has been crucial to Democratic victories in recent elections.
As the 2024 race takes shape, with Harris now at the helm of the Democratic ticket, the party’s establishment is pulling out all stops to overcome Biden’s withdrawal and to overcome Trump’s significant polling advantage.
It’s YOUR turn to answer the call. 📲🗳️
With only 100 days left until the election, get registered to vote NOW.
Join us, @MichelleObama, and the When We All Vote family by registering to vote now at https://t.co/8oBSbBx6Iw. pic.twitter.com/Q66C6qEzRQ
— When We All Vote (@WhenWeAllVote) July 28, 2024