Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) is reportedly considering re-registering as a Democrat to pursue a presidential run after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection in 2024. Sources close to Manchin revealed to CNN that the senator is exploring this move in response to the shifting political dynamics following Biden’s exit.
Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in May, has been vocal about his discontent with its current trajectory. On Sunday, he called for Biden to “pass the torch,” aligning with other voices pushing for Biden to step aside. “I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation,” Manchin stated. He criticized the party for moving away from the values he grew up with, saying, “I left the Democrat Party because it’s not the Democratic Party I grew up in, that I always knew.”
He highlighted a shift from the party’s historic ethos, referencing John F. Kennedy’s call to service: “Ask not what your country can do for you, what you can do for your country.”
Manchin argued that the party now promotes a culture of dependency over self-reliance. “We are changing into a society, ‘How much more can my country do for me?’ That’s not how it was raised,” he said. “I was always fiscally responsible and socially compassionate. I never believed that government should be your provider. It should be your partner.”
With Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic primary field is evolving. Harris has received support from Bill and Hillary Clinton, though former President Barack Obama has not yet endorsed her. Manchin’s potential candidacy could offer a centrist alternative, influencing the dynamics of the 2024 Democratic primary.
