Though it is unlikely that we’ll see “Blue Collar Joe” go head to toe with the Joe from West Virginia in the Democratic primaries next year, it is increasingly likely that President Joe Biden could face a challenge from Senator Joe Manchin as the latter continues to flirt with a third-party run.
The moderate Democrat senator has long been a headache for Biden. Since the earliest days of the administration, Manchin has been seen to stand in the way of some of the White House’s policy priorities. But now, Manchin could serve to derail Biden’s reelection bid.
However, that isn’t why Joe Manchin says he would consider a third-party presidential campaign. At a No Labels forum at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire on Monday, Manchin said his intention wasn’t to play “spoiler” to Biden in the 2024 election.
“I’ve never been in any race I’ve ever spoiled. I’ve been in races to win,” Manchin stated. “And if I get in a race, I’m going to win.”
Joe Manchin: Countering the Extremes
While Democrats have suggested that any third-party candidate would hurt Biden, Manchin disagreed. He was joined by former Republican Governor Jon Huntsman of Utah, who said that the “extremes” in both the Democratic and Republican parties have been responsible for holding up popular legislation.
“We’re here to make sure the American people have an option,” Manchin told attendees.
No Labels, the Washington-based advocacy group, has sought to recruit a Democrat and Republican to form a bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024 – which is meant to give Americans an option as 2024 increasingly looks like it will be a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
The third-party No Labels is already near its fundraising goal of $70 million, NBC News reported. That would go toward its efforts to gain ballot access for its would-be presidential ticket in all 50 states.
No Labels is also scheduled to hold a convention next April in Dallas, where it’ll formally nominate its presidential ticket.
Yet to Commit – But Still a Thorn for the DNC
Manchin has yet to commit to a run, however, and said he hasn’t made up his mind.
“I haven’t made any decision, nor will I make a decision until the end of the year,” Manchin told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Monday.
Beyond what it means for the 2024 presidential race, Manchin’s possible run could impact his West Virginia Senate seat as well – another headache for the Democratic Party, which seeks to retain control of the U.S. Senate.
West Virginia’s Republican Governor Jim Justice has already announced that he will challenge Manchin for the seat.
“Joe Manchin remains a conundrum wrapped in an enigma for political strategists. While on the surface he seems a straight shooter in answering every question thrown at him, he does so in a way that often teases and rarely delivers full clarity,” Mark Shanahan, an associate professor in politics at the University of Surrey in the U.K., co-editor of The Trump Presidency: From Campaign Trail to World Stage, told Newsweek. “At this stage it’s not at all clear if Manchin’s plans for 2024 include running for re-election in his West Virginia Senate seat; having a tilt at the White House or just saying so long to D.C. and retiring.”
Other Headaches
Even if Manchin isn’t the No Labels candidate, the third party will run someone. However, Manchin stands out as he could appeal to moderate Republicans who are increasingly tiring of Trump’s isolationist views and want an alternative besides Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his culture war obsession – as well as to moderate Democrats who don’t want America to adopt socialist policies that Biden has increasingly supported.
However, the DNC will have other headaches to deal with.
Political activist Cornel West will seek, and likely receive the Green Party’s nomination for the 2024 race. All of that could certainly give voters real options between the two old white guys that most Americans don’t even want to see run in the first place.
Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
From 19FortyFive
Joe Biden Is Starting To Scare Everyone
