During his closing remarks at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin hinted at the possibility of running as a third-party candidate in the presidential race, which could introduce uncertainty into the 2024 election. He also did not dismiss the idea of seeking reelection as a Democratic senator in West Virginia.
Despite his efforts, Tribune co-founder Evan Smith was unsuccessful in getting any information regarding the senator’s political plans for 2024.
Manchin stated that his filing date in West Virginia would not occur until January.
Manchin presented the argument in favor of establishing a third political party, emphasizing that an autonomous candidate could unify a nation that is currently deeply fragmented. Among the potential ideas discussed by Manchin was the concept of a ticket consisting of representatives from both major political parties.
Manchin expressed deep concern about the challenges we face, stating that we are currently in a troubled situation. These challenges arise from the extreme polarization between the left and right, as both sides have veered too far towards their respective political extremes.
Manchin expressed his strong disapproval of the recent shifts within the Democratic party. He emphasized that during his tenure as governor of West Virginia, the Democratic party had a firm grip over both the state’s House and Senate. However, he lamented that these changes had alienated Democrats in his home state.
He expressed, “Democrats in Washington deem us insufficiently good, clean, and intelligent.”
Manchin has been public about his disillusionment with the Democratic Party. Both of Texas’ Senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, have publicly encouraged Manchin to become a Republican.
In expressing concern for the well-being of our nation, the senator highlighted the potential risks associated with the re-election of former President Donald Trump. Furthermore, the senator expressed disappointment in witnessing a significant portion of the Republican Party becoming intertwined with the persona of one individual.
Smith pointed out that running as a third-party candidate would increase the chance Trump could win, by siphoning votes from President Joe Biden. In 1992, Texas businessman Ross Perot ran as an independent and captured 19% of the vote.
Manchin countered that running as an independent — when nearly a third of the population has negative views of both the Republican and Democratic parties — could be a viable way to address the challenges presented by those divisions.
Manchin stated that he refuses to take any chances that could endanger our country and the democracy we have. However, he believes that simply observing and taking no action while the country continues on its current path is not an option.
Although Manchin avoided making any definitive statements about his political future, he did express his support for implementing term limits for the U.S. Supreme Court and reversing the Citizens United ruling. This decision paved the way for corporations and other external organizations to freely contribute unlimited funds to electoral campaigns.
Despite his insistence that neither Democrats or Republicans should be funded by mysterious “dark money” groups, Manchin spoke at a forum for the political reform group No Labels earlier this summer and floated the idea of working with the movement to run as an independent. The No Labels movement has come under criticism for not disclosing its donors.
The Democratic senator, known for his centrist views, has been a significant obstacle for his party’s leadership as they strive to pass crucial climate and infrastructure bills.
Manchin has faced criticism for his close connections to the coal industry, especially due to his hesitance in endorsing environmental policies. On Saturday evening, a small gathering of protestors assembled outside The Paramount Theatre, where Manchin was speaking, to express their disagreement with his lenient position on climate legislation.
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