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* “The McLaughlin Group” is not something I generally watch, but my parents are devotees. The host, John McLaughlin, often asks his guests for predictions, and McLaughlin himself offered up this one this past weekend…

“Michelle Obama will run for the United States Senate in 2016 and she will be thereby kind of mimicking, if that’s not the right word [then] duplicating the career of Hillary Clinton,” McLaughlin said.

Video…

Notice that everyone laughs at the end.

If she did run, it would be against freshman Republican incumbent Mark Kirk, who won President Obama’s former seat in 2010.

* The Question: Do you think a Michelle Obama Senate bid is a possibility, or is McLaughlin full of hot air?

Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. Thanks.

Online Surveys & Market Research

And while it’s quite possible that you could answer “Yes” to both parts of the question, try to pick the “most right” response.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 11:41 am

Comments

I don’t see her running. That being said, if she were to run, she’d definitely have a good shot at winning.

Comment by keys21 Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 11:47 am
WRONG!

I really only know this show from the SNL skits.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 11:56 am
Anything’s possible, but I don’t think she’ll be interested in following the political path of Hillary Clinton. Nothing she’s done so far points to an interest in government or politics; she’s basically your typical first lady.

McLaughlin is always full of hot air, that part was easy.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:00 pm
I’ve never considered the possibility of her running for office. But if she did, I’d love it. She could be such a better representative for Illinois than Kirk.

Comment by ChicagoR Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:00 pm
McLaughlin show is endlessly fascinating, especially the end of the year shows where the plaid jacket comes out. may be the only place we’ll continue to hear from Pat Buchannan which is often disturbing, but always interesting.

But, wrong on this one. don’t see Michelle Obama leaving the work with her own children and she’s no Hillary.

Comment by amalia Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:03 pm
Nah, I don’t see (feel?) her having that fire in her belly that Hillary did. As well, wasn’t there rumour of her hating DC?

Comment by hammer Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:04 pm
It really depends on if BO wins in 2012.

Comment by Come on man! Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:04 pm
I think Michelle Obama has never shown the slightest interest in running for elective office, and I think she’s been at most a reluctant (though effective) campaigner for her husband.

Comment by DuPage Moderate 1 Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:12 pm
She won’t run. She has not shown any interest in running for public office. I see her moving back to Chicago and immersing herself in civic/business interests in her hometown. BO got his, now it will be time for her.

Comment by Pundeete Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:12 pm
But if she wanted to imitate Hillary, shouldn’t she run for a New York seat, or at least somewhere that she has no connection?

Comment by girlawyer Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:24 pm
All hot air. The Clintons are addicted to national politics and Washington. The Obamas just are not. By the time Barack is done, they will be relieved to get out and stay out of DC.

Comment by chad Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:30 pm
I answered “It’s a possibility,” only because it didn’t say it’s a remote possibility. She would win if she wanted it, but I don’t think that’s where she wants to go. I don’t doubt she will do something great, but not necessarily (remote possibility) politics. Head of a prominent not-for-profit, a huge author for sure, a speaker, motivator. But I really don’t see politics. Oh, by the way, if she runs she not only wins but wins big.

Comment by Mr. Grassroots Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:31 pm
Michelle has too much class for the Senate.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:39 pm
I’m guilty of watching the show too although I roll my eyes at McLaughlin’s senior tin foil hat moments like this Michelle Obama thing.

I also think it’s funny (and kind of cool) that most of the pundits on the show have remained a constant. Link to the aforementioned hilarious Dana Carvey impersonation….

http://www.hulu.com/watch/279531/saturday-night-live-mclaughlin-group

Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:40 pm
I have often found McGlaughlin Group to be very interesting and more intelligent generally speaking than most of the shows of this genre even though I’m very young considering their average demographic. That being said, I have seen little to nothing in Michelle’s actions that are indicative of someone wanting to pursue politics. She has issues that she is passionate about but not in a political/legislative manner. I do concur that I could see her involving herself more with nonprofit work- that appears to be more in line with her advocacy and interests.

Comment by carbaby Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:41 pm
If the kids are old enough, and in college, yes. The Obama’s have no bounds on ambition and will stay in public life.

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:47 pm
= is McLaughlin full of hot air? =

We’re still talking about John and not Ryan, right?

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:51 pm
I voted “hot air” simply because there’s no reason to believe that Obama has any interest in the Senate.

McGlaughlin’s a different sort of cat. He was a Jesuit priest who gave up his collar to be one of the last men standing in the Nixon White House. Since then, he’s made a fortune on PBS. Not a typical career path.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:52 pm
Four years is a long time to predict with any certainty. The first step is whether they stay in the WH past 2013. If they do, then 2016 is too soon.

They are both relatively young and I doubt that they will both retire to the rocking chair in 2013 or 2017.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:58 pm
I don’t think so,McLaughlin was just sayin.

Comment by mokenavince Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:58 pm
Michelle’s running is possible, but is it probable? McLaughlin is full of hot air. Therefore, both alternatives can be true at the same time.

Comment by holewall Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 12:59 pm
The term political “junkie” exists for a reason. It’s hard to just give it up. Right now it seems far-fetched. But assume he wins a second term, the realities of leaving power will come into focus by 2015 and the next move will have to be a consideration. It’s a long way away, but if she’s anywhere near as popular as she is now, it would be a tempting opportunity for anyone. And what’s the pressures of a Senate seat in your home town when you’ve already been first lady for 8 years?

Comment by L.S. Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:04 pm
I think she will have had her fill of politics by then. Unlike Hillary who is driven and is probably the reason Bill was successful I think Michelle is completely content to be a mom. I can see her becoming a little more involved in some of the programs she has championed and maybe dabbling in her law profession. But I don’t see her wanting to be in the spotlight that Hillary seems to crave.

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:13 pm
===The Obama’s have no bounds on ambition.===

Cinci, you write that as if you know them. I’ve actually met them, and while Barack clearly has political ambition, Michelle does not. For evidence, you could read Jodi Kantor’s book. I know from personal experience that Michelle has always been reluctant about having a political life.

No way she’ll ever run for office. Having said that, like all former first ladies, she will use her influence to make an impact somewhere after they leave the White House. My guess is she’ll start a nonprofit organization that mentors young people, especially those who are outsiders or have been traditionally excluded from positions of power and influence in society. And I think she’ll be wildly successful at it.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:14 pm
I’ve never seen her show any interest. In fact, she seems mostly hesitant to campaign for the POTUS, though she does it well.

I think she’s more interested in her children at the moment and while, yes, they’ll be older then, I still don’t see her doing that.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:15 pm
As she was reported to say in the book that came out last week, the irish families in chicago control everything so no she won’t be allowed to run and will be passed over for Bill Daley/richard daley’s daughter/some other irish political scion.

Comment by Shore Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:15 pm
From reading Jodi Kantor’s book, I think Michelle is eager for her husband’s presidency to be over so she can regain some normalcy in her life. I think running for Senate makes that even less possible than it already is.

Comment by Chester J. Lampwick Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:16 pm
I was watching the show when McLaughlin made his prediction and burst out laughing. Earlier in the program there was discussion about this new book, “The Obamas” and there was some mention of the fact that Michelle at first didn’t want Barrack to run…that she had no stomach for politics. So why in the world would McLaughlin think that she will run for senate? I’m amazed that some people in Washington just have no clue of things outside the Beltway…

Comment by Deep South Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:18 pm
Don’t think she cares much for politics. She’ll love her life as former First Lady. They’ll be rich beyond her wildest dreams and catered to like royalty. That’s what she wants, will enjoy and will not abandon for the tawdry business of politics.

Comment by Jim Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:44 pm
McLaughlin is full of gas. I worked my tail off to get the President to the US Senate and then to the WH, and would gladly do it again for Michelle. But It ain’t going to happen. What the beltway gasbags fail to understand is that both Obamas are fully actualized, and crave neither limelight nor power, for their own sake.

Comment by Westside Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 1:46 pm
Me thinks that Mrs. Obama would want to get home and get the girls a more normal life.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 2:01 pm
She could come back home…..and run for gov!
It gets her out of DC by 2014.
I see teh real conflict later I bet she wants to come back to Illinois and I am sure he wants to go to Hawaii

Comment by western illinois Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 2:16 pm
I love McLaughlin - used to be must-see TV for me. Haven’t watched it in a few years. This is a fun topic to talk about, but I’m not seeing it. She has not been out front on hard policy issues as Hillary was - choosing instead more traditionally First Lady issues like childhood obesity and helping military families.

Of course, stranger things have happened. But I rate this a “WRONG!”

Comment by Bill F Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 2:44 pm
Yes I think her running is a possibility, not probable, but not out of the question especially if her husband gets defeated in 2012.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 2:50 pm
She would only carry Chicago and I can’t even imagine her being that politically popular in Chicago.

Comment by southwest Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 3:06 pm
I would think that Sheila Simon and/or Lisa Madigan (among others) might have something to say about this….

Comment by Chevy owner/Ford County Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 3:46 pm
She does not appear to be a political animal enough, but once she has gotten a taste of the big time it could be hard to walk away. BO is young enough to give big dollar speeches for a long time so they will be financially set. Seems like a long shot to me, but Kirk is not exactly setting the world on fire so the opportunity will be there. Whatever Lisa Madigan decides to do will be the issue.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 4:15 pm
i voted it a possibility, but its a long shot, unless it is just a flash in the pan and she fades. i dont see her as a lasting candidate, because i dont see her connecting with any constituency to develop a base. maybe she could run from hawaii easier.

Comment by langhorne Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 4:40 pm
Mrs. Obama is not at all interested in politics. She’s also the smartest person in the room if the crowd consists of her husband and the Clintons.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 6:37 pm
On the final week of October 1992, John McLaughlin predicted that President George H.W. Bush would win re-election. I don’t think that President Bush’s own pollster would have agreed with the prediction on that date.

Don’t see Mrs. Obama ever wanting to run for elected office, and my guess is the Democratic nominee for Senate in 2016 is not someone who is spending much time in DC these days.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 6:49 pm
Hot air, but everyone knows that.

p.s. Rich: I have a suggestion for a Question of the Day. If the revived South Side Irish parade goes past a gay bar does the Klu Klux Klan win?

Comment by wishbone Tuesday, Jan 17, 12 @ 10:01 pm