


Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) did not help Democratic Party concerns that he may run for president in 2024 on Monday night, arguing in favor of a third-party candidate for the 2024 presidential race and not ruling out a run of his own.
Manchin spoke at a town hall in New Hampshire with the centrist group No Labels on Monday night and later joined CNN for an interview, maintaining ambiguity on what his 2024 plans are. Here are three things the West Virginia senator said on Monday night that could concern Democrats.
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Manchin says Biden has been "pushed too far left"
While speaking on CNN's The Source with Kaitlan Collins after the town hall, the West Virginia Democrat pushed back on the leader of the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden, as being pushed to the extreme left.
"I think he's been pushed too far left. He knows that. And we're still friends. We can talk. I just think that basically —and a lot of the ways they're interpreting and trying to implement pieces of legislation that never have the intent of what they're trying to do to make something that wasn't passed," Manchin said.
"So we have our differences. We have the ability to dialogue and to talk about it. But I think he's been pushed too far to the left. I don't think that's as inherent as who he is as a person," he said. "And I think he has the strength to fight back, and he will. We’ll see."
Manchin has been a thorn in Biden's side throughout his presidency, causing many of the president's biggest initiatives to fail in the Senate. The West Virginia Democrat has, however, worked with Biden to get some big pieces of legislation passed, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Manchin refuses to say if he will seek reelection to the Senate
Manchin would not say if he would seek another term in the Senate in 2024 when asked after the town hall event.
"I haven't made any decision, nor will I make a decision until the end of the year. And my reason for that, I’ve never seen a place in the world that basically the next election starts the day after the last election," Manchin said. "I’ve got a lot of work to do for my state of West Virginia, which I love dearly. I’ve got a lot of work to do for our government. I mean, the work for this great country of ours."
Manchin also discussed how both political parties have gone too far left or right, whereas the West Virginia Democrat proclaimed himself as being "extremely independent."
Manchin didn't rule out challenging Biden and said he will win any race he joins
The West Virginia Democrat was asked directly at the town hall if he was considering a presidential run, to which he replied that he had not "made a decision."
Manchin also responded to critics of No Labels's talks of running a third-party candidate by saying he isn't running if he doesn't think he can win.
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"I’ve never been in any race I’ve ever spoiled. I’ve been in races to win. And if I get in a race, I’m gonna win," Manchin said at the town hall.
Manchin reiterated that he will decide at the end of the year if he will run in 2024 for his Senate seat or the presidency.