West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin stopped short of launching a 2024 presidential bid.
Manchin was asked frequently on many Sunday talk shows whether he planned to announce his candidacy. When questioned directly, Manchin refused to say, but he did provide strong clues that he is contemplating running. According to the moderate Democrat, an increasing number of individuals are searching for a voice in the center to unify the country.
Manchin told Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union: “First of all, I’m worn out,”(…) “The people are tired, sick and tired, of the fighting and division that we have and dividing the country. Abraham Lincoln said, divided, we cannot stand. We cannot … have a divided country, and we cannot withstand that. We have to come together. We’re the United States.”
In another interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Manchin stated that press headlines regarding former President Donald Trump’s indictment distract from global geopolitical instability, budget and debt difficulties, inflation, and energy security.
Chuck Todd, the show’s host, commented that Manchin sounded “like a presidential contender,” and pressed him once again.
When asked explicitly if he is running, Manchin evaded once more:
“I’m not ready to do anything this year,” (…) “Only in America does the next election start the day after the last election ended. I don’t do that. I’ve got a lot of work to do this year, and I’m going to work with everybody.”
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