From fiery rallies to his sit-down interview with ABC News George Stephanopoulos last Friday, President Joe Biden has vowed to stay in the race, that his debate performance last month was a one-off and that hes in it to win it.

Still, speculation remains rampant, from wonks to regular folks, about what should come next, and who. None of the names suggested, including Vice President Kamala Harris , have generated much excitement, let alone a belief that they could beat the likely Republican nominee, Donald Trump . Is there anyone out there right now who would be a stronger candidate than Joe Biden?

There might be: Michelle Obama .

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week indicated that the former first lady would trounce Trump in a hypothetical matchup. She whipped him by an 11-percentage-point margin, 50% to 39%, among the respondents (11% said they wouldnt vote, would vote for another candidate or didnt know).

The poll found Trump beating each Democratic governor floated as a potential replacement for Biden: Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois.

The idea of Michelle Obama running for office isnt new . But it has almost always been an unserious musing since she has repeatedly said she has no interest in running . Being president was my husbands dream, not mine, shes often said.

Then again, the call to serve your country can prove hard to resist. You often hear that when the president asks you to serve, you dont say no. What if its the country thats asking, and doing so out of desperation?

She knew those stakes four years ago. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country, she said during her keynote speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. You know I hate politics, she added. But you also know that I care about this nation. ... So if you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can.

Many voters think the nation is at an inflection point and that it actually can be worse. Trump can continue what he would have done had he won reelection in 2020, now with impunity, given the Supreme Courts recent ruling on presidential immunity. Are those stakes high enough to convince Michelle Obama that if Biden is replaced, then it has to be someone who can beat Trump? At this moment, less than four months to Election Day, is there anyone else who can?

With the perfect storm of Democrats despondent, an opponent many see as an existential threat to democracy and potential Democratic replacements generating little enthusiasm or strong enough numbers to beat him, the polls timing seemed almost like a Holy Grail moment, like in a Hey, that just might be crazy enough to work! way.

And why not? Shes bright, articulate, a Harvard law graduate and telegenic. At 60, shes relatively young, a refreshing advantage in a campaign where age has been a negative for Biden, 81, and Trump, 78. And the country knows her. That name recognition alone would eliminate a big hurdle in launching a campaign.

Its not like she isnt well-versed in addressing issues. On the international stage as first lady, Michelle Obama focused on diplomacy, womens rights and education, representing the United States in a positive, dignified manner. Since then, initiatives like Lets Move! and Reach Higher have demonstrated her commitment to improving public health and education , respectively.

She spent eight years watching her husband doing the job, even as his administration guided America out of an equally stressful time. She has seen the immense weight and awesome power of the presidency up close.

And who better to advise her than what would be the first gentleman, along with a team of advisers, wonks, strategists and seasoned White House veterans whod come rushing back to not only serve the country but also to literally save it from an obvious menace.

For those who would argue she has no experience, I would ask why that didnt seem to be a problem for Trump voters in 2016. And Trump has zero qualifications even after serving.

She is well-liked, consistently ranking as one of the most popular political figures in the United States.

In a 2011 poll , 6 in 10 voters gave her a positive rating, even higher than her husband during the first term of his presidency (56.5%).

In a poll nearly a decade later , her favorability rating was 60%, compared with Trumps 39%.

Her likability could energize Democrats and attract several voting blocs: traditional Democrats, progressives, women, Black voters, independents, undecideds and the voters who currently hate both candidates. The voters who panicked over the debate and decided to change their vote to Trump? Theyd switch right back.

Her likability would also make it difficult for Republicans to attack her without being seen as demeaning, insulting and even racist. They would have to walk a fine and refined line. Does anyone see Trump being anything but refined?

Their campaigns would be polar opposites. She has class. Her rhetoric would be above the fray of cesspool name-calling and petty vindictiveness. Hers would be a campaign of aspiration, not vengeance.

Her entry into the race would eliminate concerns about race. Nothing against Gretchen Whitmer, a capable candidate, but she and any other governors frequently mentioned as a replacement for Biden are all white. Passing over Kamala Harris for one of them leaves Democrats open to damaging attacks about being racist from conservatives.

Talk about going through the looking glass: conservatives accusing Democrats of being racists?

A Michelle Obama candidacy would put Republicans on notice that theyd be called racists if their campaign rhetoric went over the line. Someone, somewhere, is likely to do that. Youve heard that expression: Its not that Republicans or conservatives are racist, but if you are racist, youre probably a Republican or a conservative. Yeah, that.