Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) is considering re-registering as a Democrat to run for president following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. According to sources cited by CNN, Manchin is weighing this option in light of Biden’s exit and the shifting political landscape.
Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year, has expressed dissatisfaction with its current direction. On Sunday, he urged Biden to “pass the torch,” saying, “I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation.” Manchin criticized the party for deviating from its principles, stating, “I left the Democrat Party because it’s not the Democratic Party I grew up in, that I always knew.”
Reflecting on his values, Manchin emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and social compassion. He referenced John F. Kennedy’s famous quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you, what you can do for your country,” to illustrate the party’s shift towards entitlement over personal responsibility. “We are changing into a society, ‘How much more can my country do for me?’ That’s not how it was raised,” Manchin said. “I was always fiscally responsible and socially compassionate. I never believed that government should be your provider. It should be your partner.”
Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris have reshaped the Democratic primary landscape. While Harris has received endorsements from Bill and Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama has not yet endorsed her. Manchin’s potential candidacy could introduce a new centrist option for voters in the 2024 race.
