Republican Senator Ted Cruz recently discussed the hypothetical electoral strength of Barack and Michelle Obama against former President Donald Trump, highlighting a notable relief within the GOP regarding their ineligibility to run.
Newsweek reported that in a candid exchange on his podcast, Ted Cruz, the Republican Senator from Texas, expressed his views on the potential candidacy of Barack and Michelle Obama in a presidential race against Donald Trump.
Cruz acknowledged the formidable communication skills of Barack Obama, despite his profound disagreements with him on policy matters.
The Senator's comments are underpinned by constitutional limitations that bar Barack Obama from seeking a third term, pursuant to the 22nd Amendment.
This amendment is something Cruz gratefully acknowledged, remarking, "Thank God for the 22nd amendment."
Cruz also touched on earlier speculations that Michelle Obama might step into the political arena to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election.
He cited her popularity and her lifestyle, which includes mingling with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney, as factors that would make her a strong, albeit reluctant, candidate.
"If I were a Democrat, I'd have been all in on Michelle because Michelle would have been an incredibly formidable candidate," Cruz stated on his podcast.
He further commented on her decision not to run, attributing it to her celebrity-like lifestyle: "She likes to take more than she needs ... she likes to fly in a G5 ... she likes to party with Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney. She lives the life of a movie star and so decided not to do that [run for office]."
Despite these assertions, Cruz labeled both Obamas as dangerous demagogues, potentially shaping the political discourse if they were to run.
"Listening to Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, they may be the two most dangerous demagogues in our country," he remarked.
Meanwhile, current polls show Vice President Kamala Harris with a 7-point lead over Trump nationally, though the race remains tight in pivotal states like Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Bookmakers, contrasting the polling data, still favor Donald Trump as the likely winner in the upcoming presidential race.
Cruz, who recently endorsed Donald Trump at the Republican convention, highlighted Trump's stringent policies on illegal immigration as a pivotal campaign platform.
This endorsement comes despite Cruz's critical role in contesting the 2020 election results, a point of contention in his own re-election campaign.
Democrats are targeting Cruz in his upcoming Senate re-election bid, presenting a significant challenge from Colin Allred.
Allred has been vocal on platforms like MSNBC, criticizing Cruz's effectiveness and ethical stance, stating, "Ted Cruz is a follower trying to feed off the scraps of his leader ... he doesn't get things done. He was one of the architects of the effort to overturn the 2020 election. He's dangerous."
Attempts to reach the Obamas for comment on Cruz's remarks were made by Newsweek, but there has been no response at the time of writing.
The dialogue surrounding the Obamas' potential influence in current politics continues to stir debate among both supporters and critics, reflecting the ongoing impact of their legacy on American political life.
The discourse around potential candidates and their capabilities to challenge incumbents like Trump showcases the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of U.S. presidential races.
As the political landscape evolves, the statements by figures like Cruz underscore the strategic considerations of both parties heading into crucial election cycles.
