Michelle Obama hasn't campaigned for Kamala Harris yet

Washington – Barack Obama The confusion for the vice president has already begun Kamala Harris. Bill Clinton is holding a series of campaign events for himself in the swing state.

Still, many members of the Democratic superstar team want to help Harris, who has been absent from the campaign until now.

With just 21 days until the election, Michelle Obama has been working behind the scenes to increase voter turnout in key swing states, but has yet to schedule an official appearance for Harris since the Democratic National Convention. Two people familiar with the matter said it raised new security concerns following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.

Harris and Trump are taking an unprecedented level of security after the former president faced two apparent attempts on his life this summer. More Secret Service agents on the campaign trail and measures like bulletproof glass are now common.

“After two assassination attempts on former President Trump, the entire former president and first lady's team have accepted the new reality, as has the Secret Service,” said one person familiar with the matter, calling them “a warning for everyone”. Redouble security efforts “in light of new realities”.

His low profile remains following his impassioned speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, when he called on members of his party not to be complacent about the November elections and repeatedly called on voters to “do something.”

Michelle Obama is expected to add Harris campaign events to her schedule as Election Day approaches, five people familiar with the plans said, although nothing has been finalized at this time. He is expected to play a role in the Democratic campaign’s “closing argument,” the three people said.

“He will make his voice heard,” said another source when the polls close on November 5.

Both Michelle Obama's office and Harris' campaign declined to comment.

USSS spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement: “While we cannot comment on the details of our protective operations, protecting the former president and Mrs. Obama is a top priority for the Secret Service.

Several Democratic strategists are eager to see an all-out effort from the party's biggest names.

Another former first lady – Hillary Clinton – is expected to begin campaigning for Harris in the last two weeks, after postponing. There have been several fundraisers for Harris since he took the helm.

Michelle Obama has the unique appeal of being the most popular Democratic surrogate, as she has never run for elected office. In a recent Reuters/Ipsos report the poll was the only one that obtained the majority of registered voters.

For the most part, Michelle Obama has focused her political efforts in 2024 on “When We All Vote,” the voter registration and engagement initiative she launched in 2018 that will seek to mobilize 5 million voters this cycle, according to the group.

She views her role as a high-level surrogate very differently than her husband, according to two people familiar with the dynamic.

“People sometimes forget: he’s not a politician,” said one man.

Michelle Obama has been open about her disdain for partisan politics, although some on both sides of the aisle are speculating about her running for office in the future. At the beginning of this year, his office was flat stated that he does not intend to run for president and thus reiterates his reluctance to re-enter the political arena.

Last year, a Trump supporter who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 was arrested near the Obama home in Washington, where he was found with two guns and 400 rounds of ammunition, federal authorities said. said in time

Former President Obama, who benefited from his wife's presence during his campaign, urged her during an unscheduled appearance Thursday at Harris' campaign office in Oakland, Pennsylvania, that voters “may not have enough of an idea of what is at stake.” In the November elections.

“These are not normal times and this is not a normal election. You’re lucky Michelle isn’t here,” he said, laughing. “He takes these things very seriously.”

The former president began a series of appearances for Harris last week, with two stops in Pennsylvania, and plans rallies in Tucson and Las Vegas this week, according to a Harris campaign official and Obama spokesman. He is expected to continue to fight regularly for the Democratic ticket until the final push, they said.

Former President Clinton arrived in rural Georgia on Sunday and Monday and will begin a bus trip through North Carolina later in the week. He is expected to travel to all the swing states to rally voters for Harris before Election Day, according to two people familiar with his schedule.

There is a feeling among some party members that Michelle Obama's mobilization may be more effective in the end, according to a person familiar with the dynamics.

“You have to pick the moment when you can move the needle the most,” this person said, “and that hasn’t happened yet.”

At the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama used the phrase “do something” at least six times in her speech, each time met with playful applause.

“If we see a mountain in front of us, we don't expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top,” he said. “No. We bow our heads. We started working. In America, we do anything.”

He then initiated a call and response with the public

“If they lie about this – and they will – we have to do something. If we see bad research – and we will – we have to get off the phone and do something. If we start to feel tired, if we let it go, the fear comes back. Let's start, we have to get up, give our mouths water and what?

“Do something!” The crowd roared.

“So consider this your official investigation,” he concluded. “Michelle Obama is asking you — no, I’m asking all of you — to do something.”