It looks like Joe Manchin is considering launching a third-party presidential bid.
As if we hadn’t suffered enough, Joe Manchin would flirt with the idea of running for president.
Earlier this month, the US senator from West Virginia offered what many assumed was a tease of a presidential bid.
For some time now, the No Labels political group, a mix of centrist Republicans and Democrats, has been open about its desire for a third-party unity ticket in the upcoming 2024 presidential election – pledging to spend $70 million dollars to make it a reality should they find preferable candidates.
It appears that Manchin, a conservative Democrat, is actively weighing whether he should headline such an effort.
Although the group has been largely secretive about its inner workings and general strategy, Secure audio puck of a conference call that No Labels recently organized with its donors.
“The hope is to keep the country we have, and you can’t do that by forcing extreme sides on both sides,” said Manchin, who joined the call as the closest. “Let’s try to get people to come together for the good of the country, not just for the good of the party.”
Separately, Manchin delivered a speech to Iowa business and community leaders in Washington, DC — which others took as a sign that he was preparing to make a third-party bid for president.
“When people say, ‘What is your policy?’ I say I’m fiscally responsible and socially compassionate, which I think most Americans are,” Manchin said in a 30-minute speech, Axios reported.
When a politician throws empty jargon at elites residing in early presidential primaries, it’s fair to infer what price they might be aiming for.
For the record, when someone like Manchin says he’s “fiscally responsible and socially compassionate,” it loosely translates to, “Poverty is bad, but don’t tax me to help end it.” But that’s the kind of superficial statement you’d expect from a company like Manchin. And it’s the kind of meaningless, banal political slogan that attracts the interest of people like him.
Unfortunately, these people dominate the media and the way news is crafted, so it’s no shock that someone like Manchin, known for his attention, is exploring his options here.
President Joe Biden is currently on track to have a rematch with his predecessor, former President Donald Trump – a scenario that remains deeply unpopular with Americans, as expressed vote.
Given the general lack of enthusiasm among the general public for another Biden v. Trump election cycle, groups like No Labels are expected to seek ballot access in 50 states for a hypothetical two-party presidential ticket in 2024. Let them say it, America needs a centrist alternative to bipartisan extremism. While there’s no denying how the racism, queer and trans antagonism, and general authoritarianism that fuels GOP ideology make them extremists, the Democratic Party is led by Joe Biden, an old white centrist .
Biden has passed surprisingly progressive legislation, but he is no wrecking ball for political convention.
There is limited appeal for a full third of self-styled moderates, whatever attention he may receive in the coming months as the press fills the gap between now and Trump’s presumed official coronation as candidate. Republican next year.
Others, however, worry about the damage a Manchin presidential bid could cause.
“If No Labels runs a Joe Manchin against Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I think it will be a historic disaster,” said Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota. said Tthe New York Times. “And I speak for almost all moderate Democrats and frankly most of my moderate Republican friends.”
“I can’t think of anything worse than another Trump presidency and no better way to help him than to field a third-party candidate,” said Democratic Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois.
It’s unnecessary anxiety. Every election cycle sparks complaints about third-party political party candidates seeking excuses for their failures. While one can understand why Ralph Nader and Jill Stein irritate some Democrats, Al Gore didn’t run the best campaign and ultimately lost to the Supreme Court anyway. In Stein’s case, maybe the votes she got didn’t help Hillary Clinton’s efforts to beat Trump, but the fact remains that Clinton was told for months before Election Day that his support among black voters was low.
The white moderate is not the miracle worker or election maker that some are already complaining about a possible Manchin candidacy would make him.
East Manchin one of the most unpopular senators in the country.
He has until January to decide whether to run for re-election – a race he is expected to lose if his opponent is the current GOP West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.
With a tough election cycle ahead, he’s looking for something to do. This potential third-party offer looks like his latest attempt to show off and steal the spotlight while he still can.
Some close to him, however, say he won’t. Really joining a No Labels ticket, which is why he would also consider another option: becoming president of West Virginia University.
Manchin has not publicly expressed interest in the position, but at 75The Spectator predicts he will “weigh all options that don’t result in near-certain defeat at the polls in West Virginia next year.”
This includes the fear of an embarrassing loss on a third ticket.
I don’t like Joe Manchin. I find his policy cruel and his search for attention for them irremediable. He is the kind of politician who best illustrates why so many Americans resent politicians deeply.
Yet, in the interest of not wasting anyone’s money, he should take this position as president of his alma mater. It’s as close to the presidency as it will ever get. As for anxious Democrats who worry about what Manchin will do next year, stop worrying and focus on the Democratic base, which will actually determine whether Biden wins reelection.