Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, has hinted at the possibility of launching a third-party presidential bid for the 2024 election. Following Super Tuesday on March 5, Manchin spoke to reporters about the potential options available to voters and expressed his willingness to consider a presidential run. He stated, “Super Tuesday pretty much confirms whatever is going to happen, what we believe will happen, and we’ll see where we go from there. But people are looking for options, and we’re going to be looking at that, too. Whether it’s me or whoever it may be, I think there’s going to be options available if it goes down the way it’s going down.”
This announcement comes after Manchin had previously declared that he would not seek re-election for his Senate seat, leading to speculation about his future political ambitions. As part of his efforts to unite moderate voters across the country, Manchin launched a nationwide campaign called “Americans Together.” The campaign aims to combat political extremism and prioritize country over party, with the goal of getting things done for the American people. Manchin believes that the current political system has been overrun by extremism, stating, “We stand against extremism in politics. It has taken over our political system and taken away our voice. As proud Americans, we agree on more than we disagree. We demand that our politicians put country before party to get things done. Enough is enough.”
During his recent remarks, Manchin also expressed his support for former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to remain in the presidential race, despite calls from fellow Republicans to drop out and rally behind former President Donald Trump. Manchin criticized the division within the party and emphasized the need for unity, stating, “I cannot believe the other ones bowed over the way they did. I just can’t believe it because it’s hard for me to fathom that. The country is divided. We don’t need to be divided anymore.”
Manchin’s potential run for president has caused concern among fellow Democrats, who fear that his candidacy could inadvertently benefit Trump in a likely rematch against President Joe Biden in the 2024 election. However, Manchin dismisses these concerns and rejects the notion that he would be a spoiler in the race. He remains confident that his candidacy would offer a viable alternative for voters seeking a moderate option.
Adding further speculation to his potential presidential bid, Manchin recently returned to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics to headline Politics and Eggs, a well-known event for presidential contenders. This move has only intensified the speculation surrounding his intentions for 2024.
While Manchin’s announcement has generated interest and divided opinions within both parties, it remains to be seen whether he will ultimately pursue a third-party presidential bid. As the 2024 campaign trail unfolds, it is certain that Manchin’s potential candidacy will be closely monitored by political observers and voters alike.
(Note: The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this publication. The information presented is based on the latest available sources and is subject to change as the situation develops.)
By Jamie Joseph, Digital Politics Writer
