Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia definitively put an end to months of speculation on Friday, declaring that he would not pursue an independent bid for the presidency. Reported by Politico on February 16, 2024, his announcement came as a relief for Democrats, alleviating concerns about potential disruption within the party.
“I will not be seeking a third-party run. I will not be involved in a presidential run,” Manchin declared during an event at West Virginia University.
While not surprising to many in Washington, the senator’s flirtations with centrist groups like No Labels had sparked widespread speculation about his intentions and their potential impact on the political landscape. Despite keeping his options open and declining to endorse President Joe Biden, Manchin made it clear that he could not support former President Donald Trump. He expressed hopes of Biden moving toward the middle and praised the president as a “compassionate person” during his announcement on Friday.
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As Manchin prepares to retire from the Senate, he has been touring the country, testing out his moderate message and refusing to rule out a presidential run. Even as he entertained the idea of a potential bid, he recently suggested Senator Mitt Romney of Utah as a potential running mate, although Romney publicly discouraged such speculation.
With his decision not to seek reelection to his Senate seat, it appears that 2024 will mark the end of Manchin’s long tenure in office, which includes stints as governor, secretary of state, and state house member in West Virginia. However, he remains committed to his new centrist group, Americans Together, and believes that by pushing politics to the middle, he can still “make a real difference.”
Manchin’s influence within the Democratic Party has been significant, particularly during President Biden’s first two years in office. He played a key role in shaping the party’s agenda, advocating for more moderate policies and pushing back against what he saw as excessive spending without adequate funding. Additionally, Manchin stood firm in his support of the filibuster, further cementing his reputation as a centrist voice within the party.
During his speech on Friday, Manchin expressed frustration with the current state of politics, highlighting the failure of a bipartisan border deal and the resistance to certain gun safety reforms. He lamented the polarization of the political process, describing it as “weaponized” by both parties. Despite his concerns, Manchin showed little regret about his decision not to seek reelection or pursue a presidential bid in 2024. He emphasized his belief that meaningful change cannot solely come from Washington and expressed a desire to see more productive action in addressing the nation’s challenges.
“I am convinced you can’t fix it in Washington. And I’ve tried for 14 years,” Manchin stated. “This will be the least productive, most destructive Congress that we’ve ever had. People just want to get shit done. I want to get it done too.”
