Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on Dec. 13 that he would “absolutely” consider running for U.S. President in 2024 as the country is moving in the “wrong trajectory” with the Biden administration pulled too far to the “extreme left.”
Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, the Democratic lawmaker was quizzed over whether or not he would make a possible third-party run for the White House, potentially through the “No Labels” party.
The West Virginia senator has been frequently associated with No Labels, which describes itself as a “national movement of people who believe in America and in bringing our leaders together to solve our toughest problems,” and which is seeking alternatives to the two-party system.
The party has praised Sen. Manchin’s work in the Senate.
Mr. Manchin said that he would only join the presidential race if he were sure to win. The lawmaker went on to stress that Americans are in need of new leadership, having been pushed to extremes by Republicans and Democrats who have done a poor job at representing the nation.
Speaking to Fox News, the lawmaker said he will launch a two-month tour in January, during which time he will take to the streets and talk to the American people to “find out what they believe needs to be done,” and whether there is a national desire for a third-party ticket.
“They'll make the decision, not me or anybody else,” Mr. Manchin said. “But I want them to know that there’s enough of us in the middle who want to take back our country, our values, who we are, how we became the country that we are in, how we’re going to be able to leave a country that we’re proud of to our children and grandchildren.
‘Biden Has Been Pulled to the Left’
Mr. Manchin went on to take aim at President Joe Biden’s leadership, which he said has become increasingly more leftist.“The Democrats had been pulled so far to the left and I think Joe Biden has been pulled to the left. I know Joe Biden. He never has governed that way. He wasn’t a senator for 36 years on the extremes, and I’m hoping he comes back to the middle—I really am,” he said.
The moderate lawmaker concluded that America needs to bring its current extreme leadership “back to the middle.”
“I think that every American, if you’re in a position to help your country and you don’t come forward when you think we’re on the wrong trajectory, then you know, shame on you. I will do whatever I can to help my country and right now,” he said.
Some Democrats have expressed concern that a run by Mr. Manchin as an independent could cut into President Biden’s already waning support and pave the way for former President Trump to win a second term in the White House.
