Independent Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia will not rejoin the Democratic Party and seek its presidential nomination, clarifying on Monday that reports of him considering doing so following Biden’s decision to exit the race are incorrect.
Following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his presidential campaign on Sunday, some media outlets began reporting that Manchin was considering a return to the Democratic Party to seek the party’s presidential nomination. However, Manchin said on Monday to CBS News that he is not running for the presidency and is instead endorsing the concept of a “mini primary.”
“I am not going to be a candidate for president,” Manchin is quoted as saying by CBS News. “I am a candidate for basically speaking to the middle of this country.”
Manchin, who was previously floated as a potential presidential candidate, left the Democratic Party earlier this year. Doing so made him the fourth independent member of the Senate, joining Angus King of Maine, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. At the time, he stated that his decision to leave was motivated by a desire to reduce partisanship and foster greater cooperation in Congress.
“Let’s work together to fix America. Don’t hate the other side. There’s only one side – the American side – and we have to work together to save our country,” Manchin posted on X at the time of his decision to leave. “That’s why I changed my party registration to no party affiliation.”
Even if he wanted to, there would be no point. The Democrats would never nominate someone who had left the party, let alone one who had only returned to get the nomination. Besides, even though he is far from good enough, Manchin is still far too sensible for the Democratic Party.