Washington: Marian Williamson, a self-help author, activist and spiritual counselor, announced on Saturday that she is running for the US presidency in 2024, four years after receiving little support in an earlier run for the office.
Now 70, the iconic author has become the first Democrat to officially enter the 2024 race — even ahead of President Joe Biden — telling fellow Americans to reject cynicism and “make your struggle a reality.” Conduct with the highest level of dignity and discipline.”
Other Democrats have held off on announcing candidates pending a decision by Biden, who, at age 80, has said he “intends” to run for re-election but has yet to formally enter the race. .
In his televised announcement, Williamson summarized his candidates’ positions, condemning mass incarceration, economic inequality and racial injustice and calling for an “urgent transition from a dirty economy to a clean economy.”
“Government of the people, by the people and for the people,” he said, quoting a quote from Abraham Lincoln. “This government is now government by corporations and by corporations.”
After her best-selling 1992 book “A Return to Love,” Williamson was a frequent guest on talk show superstar Oprah Winfrey, who profiled her and offered advice on personal growth.
Then four years ago, the unconventional Williamson faced off against Biden and about 20 other Democratic candidates for the presidency.
During the televised debates, he drew attention with his condemnation of the “dark psychic force” that he said Donald Trump represented.
He echoed that sentiment on Saturday with an added caveat. “I’m so glad President Trump didn’t win the last election. That means we haven’t gone over the cliff. But I’ll tell you something, we’re still six inches away from it.”
Before her first run, Williamson vowed that as president she would establish a federal Department of Peace, push for reparations for slavery and “harness love to political ends.”
But Williamson — at one time among the top Democratic candidates for Google — never rose above the low single digits in the polls.
She eventually dropped out of the race and endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist.
