Michelle Obama candidacy rumors are from GOP: Ex-Obama staffer

(NewsNation) — Calls for former first lady Michelle Obama to join the 2024 presidential race are not coming from Democratic activists but from Republicans hoping to pit her against Vice President Harris, party strategist Ameshia Cross said on “Cuomo.”

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s coming from the right because they really want to see Michelle Obama run, I think it’s coming from the right because they want an opportunity to tear Michelle Obama down,” she told anchor Chris Cuomo.

Cross, a former Obama campaign staffer, said it’s abundantly clear the former first lady has “absolutely no interest” in a White House bid “at any level.” Rather than run against Harris, Cross believes Michelle Obama will likely work as a surrogate to help her secure her funding.

Former President Obama has shared a statement of support for President Joe Biden’s exit from the race, notably leaving out an endorsement for the vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee, Harris.

When will that come? Cross thinks the former president being “procedural” and holding off out of respect to Biden.

Following Wednesday’s scheduled address from the sitting president, Cross believes Obama’s support will likely follow: “We should be hearing [from him] shortly thereafter, or … up to when that virtual roll call actually happens.”

Harris has already garnered record support in the first few days of her campaign, racking up tens of millions of dollars in fundraising. It’s a trend that Cross thinks will carry the vice president into the November election.

“There are people knocking on doors who are aligning on Kamala Harris right now in communities across this country,” Cross said.