Global Courant
Democrats on Capitol Hill are increasingly concerned that Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va., may launch a third-party presidential campaign in 2024, potentially diminishing President Biden’s reelection chances.
The danger of a potential Manchin presidential run is twofold for the Democrats, in that they can’t afford to suck a spoiler vote away from Biden, nor do they have a credible candidate to prevent Manchin’s Senate seat. falls into the hands of Republicans.
Senator John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said he spoke with Manchin about the issue this spring but received a noncommittal response from the West Virginia senator.
“I advised him against it. I think it would be a terrible idea,” Hickenlooper told Politico. “It would help Donald Trump.”
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Democrats on Capitol Hill are increasingly concerned that Senator Joe Manchin, DW.V., will launch a third-party presidential campaign in 2024, potentially diminishing President Biden’s reelection chances. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
D-Mont Senator Jon Tester echoed Hickenlooper’s concerns, saying, “It would be bad for the country if Joe didn’t run for the U.S. Senate.”
Meanwhile, Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., appealed to Manchin’s pride in a statement to the outlet, suggesting that Manchin would not back down from fighting to defend his Senate seat against the likely Republican challenger, the governor of West Virginia. , Jim Justice.
“My gut tells me that’s not going to happen. And my gut tells me there’s still a very good chance Joe is running for re-election. And we need him,” Kaine said. “If Gov. Justice thinks he’s going to sweep Joe Manchin aside, I know Joe Manchin is saying, ‘Are you kidding me? No way.'”
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President Biden could face an uphill battle for re-election if Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia chooses to run for president as a third-party candidate. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, in both interviews and conversations with fellow Democrats, Manchin has refused to rule out the possibility.
“Then how did Perot choose Bill Clinton?” Manchin asked in an interview with Politico when faced with the assumption that he would serve as a spoiler.
Democrats fear a presidential run by Senator Joe Manchin could help former President Trump. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“Everyone is getting so excited and terrified, and we’re a year and a half away,” he added. “Is there an alternative? Is there anything we can do to return both the Democratic and Republican parties to centrist policies?”
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Manchin last declined to rule out the move in an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” earlier in June. Host Shannon Bream told Manchin about reports that he might join the group “No Labels” to fund a campaign.
“Don’t rule anything out, rule nothing out,” Manchin replied.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
