Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) is reportedly contemplating re-registering as a Democrat to pursue a presidential run following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. According to sources cited by CNN, Manchin is evaluating his options in light of Biden’s exit.
Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in May, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with its current direction. On Sunday, he joined others in urging Biden to step aside, stating, “I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation.” He added, “I left the Democrat Party because it’s not the Democratic Party I grew up in, that I always knew.”
Manchin criticized the party’s shift from the principles he values, invoking John F. Kennedy’s call to service: “Ask not what your country can do for you, what you can do for your country.” He expressed concern that the party now emphasizes entitlement over personal responsibility. “We are changing into a society, ‘How much more can my country do for me?’ That’s not how it was raised,” Manchin said. “I was always fiscally responsible and socially compassionate. I never believed that government should be your provider. It should be your partner.”
Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris have reshaped the Democratic primary landscape. While Harris has secured endorsements from Bill and Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama has yet to endorse her. Manchin’s potential re-entry into the Democratic fold could introduce a new centrist option for voters in the 2024 race.
