Joe Manchin Sets The Record Straight About His 2024 Plans

Responding to a direct question about his potential candidacy, Manchin stated, "I will do anything I can to help my country. And you're saying, ‘Does that mean you would consider it?’ Absolutely. Every American should consider it." This statement was made during his appearance on MSNBC Reports on Wednesday.

Manchin further emphasized his commitment to the country, expressing his intent to "mobilize the moderate, sensible, commonsense middle, that could be center left, center right." His affiliation with the third-party organization "No Labels" has long been a source of speculation regarding his potential presidential ambitions.

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During the same interview, Manchin expressed his concern about the possibility of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House. "I'm totally, absolutely scared to death that Donald Trump will become President again. I think we will lose democracy," he said. He also voiced his apprehension about President Joe Biden's political shift towards the left, stating, "I'm afraid that Joe Biden's been pushed too far to the left. Can he come back? We'll see."

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Manchin's recent comments are the latest in a series of interviews that have been interpreted by some as a prelude to a 2024 third-party run. In a conversation with CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell, Manchin emphasized the importance of a political movement over individual ambition. "It's not about me. It’s not about the next election. I keep telling people, this is a movement," he said.

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November 17, 2023

The West Virginia senator also indicated that he had "plenty of time" to make a decision about his potential candidacy. "Only in America does the next election start the day after the last election. Most countries don't have election a year ahead of time," he said. "I think there's plenty of time, plenty of time. And especially if there's a movement in the middle, there's not a primary. It'll be basically in the general election process."

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In a video posted last week, Manchin announced his retirement from the Senate at the end of his term and his plans to travel around the country to gauge "interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together." This unexpected announcement has led many to wonder if the moderate Democrat is considering a third-party presidential bid.