Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Harvard law professor who taught Barack and Michelle Obama says former First Lady 'should've been President'

'He was great too, but she was better. She could easily be President but I don’t think she will'

Will Worley
Monday 13 February 2017 07:34 EST
Comments
There have been calls for Michelle Obama to campaign for President in 2020
There have been calls for Michelle Obama to campaign for President in 2020 (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The law professor who taught the Obamas at Harvard has said Michelle “should have been President”.

Charles Ogletree, a constitutional legal expert, taught both Mr and Mrs Obama as students and said that while Barack was gifted, his wife had the edge.

When asked by TMZ about what was special about the young Mr Obama, Mr Ogletree said: “You know, his wife should have been President. Absolutely.”

He added: “He was great too, but she was better. She could easily be President but I don’t think she will.”

Barack and Michelle Obama on post-White House plans

Mr Ogletree also said Mr Obama had a habit of "speaking too much".

The professor was faculty mentor to Mrs Obama in the late 1980s. Mr Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School in 1988 and was the first black President of the Harvard Law Review.

Since the election of Donald Trump, there have been calls for Mrs Obama to stand for the Presidency in 2020.

Her work as First Lady, which included extensive campaigning, was regarded by many as having reinvented the position.

In November, three Political Action Groups (PACs) were formed to prepare fundraising and a campaign for Mrs Obama.

But she has repeatedly said she will not seek office, saying she would prefer to have time with her family and has spent enough time in the White House.

Mrs Obama told Oprah: “I think some people think it's serious, but some people are just hopeful.

“I don't make stuff up, I'm not coy. I'm pretty direct. If I was interested in it, I would say. I don't believe in playing games.”

Her husband backed up last year, telling Rolling Stone: "She is as talented a person as I know…You can see the incredible resonance she has with the American people. But I joke that she's too sensible to want to be in politics."

Mrs Obama has urged children to study hard and become a future President themselves.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in