Fictional Michelle Obama Senate Run Fuels Republican Fundraising


Illinois Republican Senator Mark Kirk will almost certainly not be facing an election against Michelle Obama in 2016. Nevertheless, the senator is still asking for campaign contributions to fight off the incredibly unlikely threat.

In a fundraising letter dated September 5t, Senator Kirk addressed the fictional scenario.

“I’m not one to believe rumors or engage in political gossip, but when it comes to defending the Illinois Senate seat that I’m honored to hold, I take all potential threats seriously… The press and rumor mills ponder the ‘will she or won’t she’ question with regard to Michelle Obama… and the circumstances (and denials) are reminiscent of 1999 when First Lady Hillary Clinton was the subject of whirlwind speculation about a run for the United States Senate.”

The letter ends by asking for $25 to $1,000 donations.

The ploy is using the idea that a race featuring a big name will garner more attention and financial support — or Kirk might believe that Ms. Obama is unpopular enough with his base to create a windfall. In either case, the Obamas may have to once again refute rumors that Michelle will run anytime soon.

Barack Obama made one attempt on ABC’s Live with Kelly and Michael, promising that Michelle would absolutely not be running. Michelle Obama followed that up with an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, saying she is “definitely” not running. Valerie Jarrett, senior White House adviser, reinforced those statements, saying she’s 100 percent sure Michelle Obama would not run for elected office.

But that’s not quite good enough.

Rumors of a Michelle Obama candidacy still occasionally pop up, and Kirk’s letter maybe the most recent false flag.

Nevertheless, it might work as a fundraising ploy.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Elizabeth Warren, Democratic Senator from Massachusetts, is not going to run for president in 2016. That hasn’t stopped people working on her nonexistent campaign’s behalf, from raising money to recruiting dozens of volunteers who now make appearances at political events.

The fake candidacy was so popular that Ms. Warren felt the need to publicly disavow any presidential run.

If a group can succeed at supporting a fictional candidacy, why not a group fighting against a fictional candidacy?

As of June 30, Senator Kick’s campaign war chest had $1,419,695. It will be interesting to see how much more he’s raised by the next time he reports his campaign finances.

Until then, Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Warren will have learn how to deal with the limelight produced by campaigns they never started.

[Image Credit: USDAgov/Flickr]

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