Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, has announced that he will not be running for president in 2024 as an independent candidate. The announcement was made at a public event held at West Virginia University.
Manchin, who had been the subject of much speculation regarding a potential third-party White House bid, put the rumors to rest by stating, “I will not be seeking a third-party run. I will not be involved in a presidential.” This decision comes as a relief for President Joe Biden’s campaign, which could have faced a major challenge had Manchin decided to run.
Instead of pursuing a presidential run, Manchin revealed that he would be focusing his efforts on his daughter’s Super PAC, “Americans Together.” He expressed his commitment to ensuring the election of a president who possesses the knowledge, passion, and ability to unite the country, which he believes is currently facing significant challenges.
“I will be involved in making sure that we secure a president that has the knowledge and has the passion and has the ability to bring this country together. And right now, we’re challenged and we’ve got to see if we can move people in that direction,” Manchin said.
Manchin’s decision not to seek reelection for his Senate seat, announced last year, had fueled speculation about his potential presidential ambitions. His recent rhetoric and actions, including a listening tour to 10 states and publicizing his intent to hear from the “politically homeless” and unite the middle, further fueled these speculations.
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However, Manchin clarified that his listening tour, which included stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina, was not a campaign but a journey of concern for the country. He shared that the tour helped him realize that his role was not viable in the 2024 election. Despite this, he believes his voice is still needed for the “sensible and reasonable” moving forward.
Manchin also addressed the challenges of running as a third-party candidate, stating, “The system right now is not set up for it. The long game, maybe we can make a third party viable where it has a process and opportunity. Right now, it’s very challenging.” He expressed his unwillingness to be a “deal breaker” or “spoiler” and stated that he didn’t believe it was the right time for a third-party run.
Manchin’s decision comes ahead of Super Tuesday, the largest day in the presidential primary. He highlighted the difficulties of running as a third-party candidate, citing the example of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who launched an independent run and has only managed to get on the ballot in one state so far.
Despite his decision not to run, Manchin did not declare that he’s leaving the Democratic Party. He did, however, offer a fair share of criticism during his speech. As a former co-chair of No Labels, Manchin was once considered an option for their “Unity Ticket.” However, his announcement was not associated with the bipartisan third-party group, which is still weighing its options.
While Manchin’s decision not to run in 2024 removes a potential challenge for the existing candidates, it also opens up new possibilities for his involvement in the political landscape through his support for “Americans Together.”
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