President Obama: ‘Michelle will never run for office’

For anyone who might like to see Michelle Obama run for president as a Democrat, it’s time to rein in that early enthusiasm.

The Washington Post published a story Sunday that discussed the potential Democratic presidential candidates for the 2020 election. “And I will tell you, they are the same in terms of their core values, their commitment to public service”.

“Probably the main reason that I don’t feel dismayed, but do feel disappointed, is the incredible young people who have worked in my administration, worked on our campaigns”, he said. “I can take great satisfaction in the people we’ve helped”.

When asked if he thinks the presidency will ultimately constrain Trump, Obama replied, “I think sitting behind that desk is sobering, and that it will have an impact on him as it has on every president”. OH became the 25th medical marijuana state in June.

“There’s something to this whole states-being-laboratories-of-democracy and an evolutionary approach”, Obama said. “You now have about a fifth of the country where this is legal”, he added.

Marijuana, however, is still illegal under federal law, creating an “untenable” situation, according to Obama. In response to several states approving decriminalized recreational marijuana, Obama issued an executive order to prevent federal authorities from charging citizens who are abiding by state laws. “They’re in favor, in large numbers, of decriminalizing marijuana”.

Obama likened the debate around marijuana reform to same-sex marriage – change happens incrementally at first.

Marijuana is now listed by the DEA as a Schedule 1 drug – the same level as heroin and LSD. “Our promise is a campaign of action, and we intend to use every resource at our disposal to defeat conservatives at the Federal level, and block President Trump at every risky step of his term in office”. But his nominees for attorney general and health and human services chief have strongly opposed legalization, causing concern among some pro-legalization advocates.

Asked if the U.S. can still be considered a progressive country, Obama said “nothing is determined”.

Part of the issue, Obama points out, is a change in public opinion and government’s slow reaction to this change of opinion.