Outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has voiced feelings about a late run for the White House and could sway voters from both major parties if he decides to enter the race, veteran campaign watchers told The Post Friday.
The 76-year-old moderate Democrat announced Thursday that he would not seek re-election to the Senate, and would instead embark on a tour of the US “to see if there is interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring America together.”
Manchin’s ambiguous rhetoric and previous refusal to rule out running for higher office have set tongues wagging, though the senator’s team remained tight-lipped about his plans when The Post asked on Friday.
“I’m sure he’s floating a trial balloon to see if anyone will bite,” said GOP strategist John Thomas, who added that Manchin was “forced” out of his Senate seat by the prospect of defeat next year at the hands of popular Republican Gov. Jim Justice.
Joe Manchin has never ruled out a 2024 presidential run.AP
“He has no choice but to resign unless he wants to march to his own death,” Thomas said. “So that’s one thing that turned the decision on. Then the second thing is, when he was forced out, you know, every senator wants to be president if they can.”
Manchin’s chances follow in the footsteps of Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and challenging President Biden for the Democratic nomination are slim, as the deadline to register for primary voting in the early states of Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina has already passed.
But Manchin, who has repeatedly voiced his belief in “putting country before party,” may have better luck launching an independent bid.
“If he can feel that there’s enough traction for him,” the senator might throw his name in “if just to shake things up,” Republican strategist Dave Wilson told The Post, saying Manchin “could definitely start pulling votes from both” Republican and Democratic candidates.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is seeking a US Senate seat
Manchin’s longtime ties to the centrist group No Labels, which is looking to field a third-party candidate against Biden and possible Republican nominee Donald Trump, have also fueled speculation of an impending announcement.
“What they’re asking is, ‘Do the people of the United States want some other options?'” Manchin said of No Labels last August. A month earlier, Democrats had co-chaired a No Labels event with former Republican Utah Governor Jon Huntsman in New Hampshire.
No Label said it will announce its nominee in April, and is working to get that person on the ballot in all 50 states.
If Manchin runs as an independent — especially if he’s backed by No Labels — he “will probably get enough votes to do a lot of damage,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon.
President Biden said West Virginians should be “proud” of Joe Manchin and praised their previous work together. AP poll shows majority of voters not excited to vote for Joe Biden or Donald Trump.Getty Images
“He will have an impact on the race because it looks like a very close presidential race. And if he has the support of No Labels and their money, and access to their votes, I think he’s probably more likely to have a national impact as an independent than Robert Kennedy Jr.,” Bannon added, noting Manchin was “careful. .”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West are already causing headaches for national parties with their independent nominations and more unrelated candidates will only add to the electoral chaos.
“This is really going to end up skewing the electoral math for both parties, because you can have a pretty long ballot for a really viable candidate on Election Day,” Wilson said.
The number of confirmed and potential independent candidates is another hurdle for Biden to overcome, Thomas said.
The big independent list is “an echo chamber of ‘Anybody but the incumbent,’ as if there’s a problem with the incumbent,” he said.
“I think this scenario is Biden’s biggest problem. He needs everyone to take lock step and unite on one thing, which is not-Trump.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
