Staff Reports
West Virginia’s own Senator Joe Manchin has thrown a cold bucket of ice water on the smoldering embers of speculation that he might ditch his independent status and dive back into the Democratic pool, especially now that President Biden has decided to exit the presidential race. In a clear message to everyone ready to campaign for him, Manchin made it abundantly clear on national television that he has no intention of throwing his hat into the presidential ring.
During a recent segment on CBS Mornings, Senator Manchin bluntly stated that he isn’t running for office. That’s right, folks—despite Democrats possibly foaming at the mouth over who might fill the vacated seat, Manchin had other plans. He casually remarked that he doesn’t need that kind of stress in his life, essentially telling political fanatics to pump the brakes on their imaginations recruiting him as the next Democratic savior.
In an interesting twist, Manchin also nixed the idea of being Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. It appears Senate positions and their responsibilities might not hold the same thrill as fighting off birthday candles. His comment regarding never wanting a 76-year-old in the number two spot sends shivers down the spines of older politicians everywhere—no wonder the Democrats are looking to pivot to “the new generation.”
Manchin’s candid remarks are echoing those of several Democratic cohorts who have been rather vocal about their hopes for Biden to step aside. Just a day before Biden announced his exit, Manchin openly expressed that he thinks it’s time to “pass the torch.” This aligns with suggestions from other Democrats like Senators Peter Welch, Jon Tester, Martin Heinrich, and Sherrod Brown, who have joined in chorus—clearly believing that Biden’s legacy should not include a lackluster reelection campaign.
Town Hall: Manchin Addresses Speculation That He's Going to Run for President https://t.co/Lq10MDe9z1
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 22, 2024
As for Biden’s endnote on his presidency, he has labeled it “the greatest honor of my life,” which sounds grand until one considers the job ratings are about as favorable as the weather on a rainy Monday in November. By pledging to fulfill his duties through the remainder of his term, Biden is attempting to leave a stable trail behind as he retreats to Rehoboth Beach for some quality time recuperating from COVID—presumably thinking a much-needed break will help him exit gracefully from political life.
While some may view Biden’s decision as a gracious exit, it certainly leaves an eyebrow-raising gap for the Democrats. Will they stumble upon a fresh-faced candidate, or will they dig deeper into the same old, same old? Only time will tell, but for now, it seems like Manchin is content standing on the sidelines while the Democratic circus moves along.
