Senator Joe Manchin Photo: JIM LO SCALZO/Shutterstock
Conservative Democrat Joe Manchin fueled speculation about a third party presidential nomination as he said America's two major parties got too radical in a closely watched speech on Monday.
The 75-year-old West Virginia senator left the door open to challenge Joe Biden for the White House in 2024 at an event in New Hampshire, saying he would decide to run “next year.”
He rejected claims that he would run as a spoiler candidate in the 2024 election, which , apparently, will provoke a rematch between Biden and Donald Trump.
Mr. Manchin said: “I never participated in any race I ever messed up, I was in races to win. And if I run the race, I win.”
The senator was in critical condition from New Hampshire because of a town hall organized by the centrist group No Labels.
He joined former Utah Republican Gov. John Huntsman in introducing their “common sense” program at St. Anselm College.
Mr. Manchin criticized Republicans and Democrats for going “too far to the right and too far to the left” as he touted the opportunity to run as an independent.
In an interview with NBC News, he said: “It will be in next year” before he makes a decision.
An outspoken critic of partisanship in Washington, Mr. Machin added: “Let's see where everyone goes. Let's see what's going on. Perhaps they will come to their senses and begin to do the work for which they were chosen.”
While Joe Biden's ratings are catastrophic, Donald Trump's ratings are even worse, suggesting a third might have an appetite. -partisan alternative.
However, worrisomely for Democrats, polls also show that Mr. Manchin could turn the election over to Mr. Trump, taking away votes from Mr. Biden in key swing states.
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Democrats are still terrified by Al Gore's defeat in the 2000 presidential election, when Ralph Nader won 97,000 votes in Florida and handed over the central state to Republican George W. Bush.
Mr. Manchin was a thorn in Mr. Biden's soul. side by refusing to support his administration's ambitious spending program in a tie-dyed Senate.
Senator Joe Manchin has often clashed with a colleague's party, including gun control. Campaign can be “very important”
Running for president could be a tempting option for Mr. Manchin, who faces an uphill battle for a seat in West Virginia, the state that overwhelmingly supported Mr. Trump in 2020.
Even before any announcement about the presidential candidate, Washington insiders are speculating about who could be his running mate.
In addition to Mr. Huntsman, other potential candidates include Larry Hogan, a former Republican governor, and Susan Collins, a centrist senator Republican from Maine.
“This is going to be a very important and well-funded side campaign,” Christopher Galdieri, professor of political science at Saint Anselm's College, told The Telegraph.
“For Democrats still traumatized by Ralph Nader, that would be worst-case scenario.”
Joe Lieberman, founder of No Labels and former Democratic vice presidential candidate, tried to dispel the rumors.
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“We haven't decided yet launch a ticket. It’s not even clear that if it ends up being Trump and Biden, as it looks like now, we will do it,” he told Fox News.
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