Top Democrats push back against Michelle Obama claim

By Jerry McConway, 
updated on January 21, 2026

During a recent podcast, Michelle Obama stated that she believed the country is not ready for a woman president, especially a woman of color.

Kamala Harris was the first to challenge that statement, but now another top Democrat is challenging the former first lady.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also come forward, saying Obama has it all wrong.

Not ready

Obama recently appeared on the podcast "Call Her Daddy,” which is a very popular podcast for women.

While discussing Kamala Harris’ failure to beat Donald Trump, she blamed the country instead of the candidate.

Obama stated, "As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready. That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not."

In 2016, you had Hillary Clinton. In 2024, you had Kamala Harris. They were both historically unpopular among independents and Republican voters. Heck, even their own party did not like them, and it had nothing to do with them being women.

Harris pushes back

The first top Democrat to dare to question Obama’s stance on this was Kamala Harris.

In December, she stated, “I do believe the country is ready.”

Alyssa Farah Griffin of “The View” also disagreed, stating, “I respectfully disagree with the First Lady. I don’t think that we’re not ready,” continuing that Harris and Clinton were “flawed candidates.”

On the flip side of that, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) backed the former first lady, stating, “Michelle Obama is absolutely correct. If you look at the history, we demonstrated that we were not ready.”

Whitmer chimes in

Now, another possible 2028 frontrunner, Governor Whitmer, is pushing back, stating, "I think America is ready for a woman president. The question comes down to a choice between two people, and what we saw in this last election, while Kamala Harris didn't beat President Trump, we saw women get elected across the country."

She continued, "We saw women win up and down the ballot in hard, important states to win, so I do think there’s an appetite. I just, for whatever reason, we have not had a woman president yet. I think we will at some point in the near future."

I agree, and I would love for that woman to be a Republican. Had things gone differently and Trump stayed out of the 2024 election, I believe the unbeatable ticket would have been DeSantis-Haley, with Haley taking the handoff in 2032.

Trump not only shook up the race, but he dismantled the future of the GOP in terms of what I thought the hierarchy would be over the next decade. The 2028 race will dictate the future for both parties, especially if the race winds up between Governor Gavin Newsom and JD Vance. Having said that, I think we are ready for a woman, but it has to be the right woman, not someone who is despised by both sides of the aisle.

About Jerry McConway

Jerry McConway is the Senior Editorial Director at American Digest Media, as well as the featured columnist on Real Talk Digest. He has been covering politics for more than a decade. His no-nonsense writing style makes him enemy number one in DC. His mission is to tell the truth to readers, good or bad, something the mainstream media has failed to do for decades. What sets Jerry apart from his competition is reader loyalty. They don't always agree with him, but they know he tells them the truth. Love him or hate him, you can't ignore him.

Real Talk. Daily.

No spin. No fluff. Just the hard truth. served straight. Every morning, we cut through the noise and deliver what really matters to hardworking Americans. No agendas. No media games. Just real talk you can trust.