Joe Manchin REFUSES to support Biden in 2024, opens door to his own presidential run: Democratic senator says he will make decision on his future later this year as speculation swirls
- ‘There’s plenty of time before the election,’ West Virginia Democrat said when asked if he supported Biden
- “The bottom line is we’re looking at who’s involved. Let’s see who all the players are’
- “I’m not going to make a decision until the end of the year about what I’m going to do for my political future,” Manchin continued.
Senator Joe Manchin declined to say he would support President Biden in 2024 at the end of the year as he continued to fuel rumors that he himself would consider a bid for the presidency.
“There is plenty of time before the election,” the West Virginia Democrat said when asked if he supported Biden.
“This is the problem with America right now, we start an election every time a cycle comes up,” he lamented on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday.
Senator Joe Manchin declined to say he would support President Biden in 2024 at the end of the year as he continued to fuel rumors that he himself would consider a bid for the presidency.
Based on historical precedent, the incumbents have broad party support. But Manchin said he would wait until he sees the primaries shake out before committing to supporting a candidate.
“The bottom line is we’re looking at who’s involved. Let’s see who all the players are.’
The 79-year-old Biden has not yet formally launched a reelection bid, but continues to say he will.
“I’m not going to make a decision until the end of the year about what I’m going to do for my political future,” continued Manchin, refusing to rule out a new Senate bid or a run for the top of the rankings. the ticket. “I have too much work to do right now.”
The leading moderate senator further doubted whether Biden would win his favor in the next election. “We have skyrocketing debt, inflation that kills people, uncertain energy, a border that is out of control; you’re telling me we’re in the same ballpark in the same ballpark? I do not think so.’
Manchin was asked about comments he made last month in which he said he is not running for president “at this time.”
“You said you’re not running for president. But is that an open question?’ CBS’ Margaret Brennan asked.
‘I did not say that. I didn’t say anything about that. The bottom line is that I will make my political decision in December. I’m not taking anything off the table and I’m not putting anything on the table,” the senator replied.
“I am not running for president of the United States. “I can assure you as we sit here today,” Manchin, who is up for re-election next year, told MetroNews in a Feb. 22 radio broadcast.
Biden, 79, has not yet formally launched a reelection bid, but continues to say he will
Further asked if he ruled out a bid for the presidency, Manchin said, “I don’t know. I think at this point you don’t know who will be the Democratic or Republican nominee.”
The only position Manchin has ruled out is governor, a position he held from 2005-2010.
GOP Rep. Alex Mooney has already launched a bid to take the Manchin seat, and Republican Governor Jim Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey are said to be considering bids.
Meanwhile, another moderate Democrat, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, announced he would run for re-election late last month. Arizona Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema has also not yet announced her plans.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he believes “we can do a lot of good bipartisan things in these two years” and that Democrats are “filled with unity, optimism — and 2024 optimism.”
Still, Schumer’s Democratic Senate is mired in legislative amber this year as the new Republican House has little appetite for compromise. In addition, a string of Senate Democrats — including John Fetterman, Dianne Feinstein and Bob Casey — are absent citing health concerns.
“If the past two years have been about putting our agenda into law… the next two years will be about executing that agenda,” said the senior senator from New York.