By Isabel Keane | New York Post
Sen. Joe Manchin on Monday denied that he would be challenging Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential ticket, saying, “I don’t need that in my life.”
The longtime West Virginia leader, who switched from Democrat to Independent this year, squashed rumors that he would be going up against Harris in November’s election during an interview on CBS Monday morning.
“I’m not running for office,” Manchin said.
“I’m not going to be a candidate for president… I don’t need that in my life,” he said before calling for a contested primary.
The 76-year-old called for Biden to drop out of the race Sunday morning hours before Biden, 81, announced his withdrawal.
What to know about President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race — after weeks of prominent Democrats and donors calling on him to withdraw following his disastrous performance in the first presidential debate.
- In a letter posted on X Sunday afternoon, Biden admitted that it is in the “best interest of my party and country” for him to step down as the Democratic nominee.
- Biden wrote that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term and will address the country on his decision later this week.
- In a follow-up X post, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the suddenly open Democratic nomination. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” the president wrote.
- Former President Donald Trump reacted to the news by labeling Biden the “worst president in the history of our country” in a call with CNN.
The once-moderate Democrat noted he was “speaking for the middle of this country,” as an Independent, and that neither Republicans nor Democrats can win without the middle.
“Joe Biden came out of a very contested primary in 2020 and he rose because he was that moderate figure. He always operated in the middle. He could make a deal with people on the right and the left,” Manchin said.
The latest on President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- Biden drops out of presidential race after Democratic revolt following disastrous debate: ‘Best interest of the country’
- Biden drops out of presidential race: live updates
- NY Dems are already lining up behind Kamala Harris to replace Biden — with these big exceptions
- Biden delayed dropping out partly because he doubted Harris’ chances against Trump: report
- Miranda Devine: Joe Biden is too frail to run in 2024 but he’s still our president?
Manchin argued that not holding a primary would be a mistake, but it was already “predetermined.”
“I believe it would help strengthen Kamala and her position too,” he added. “But that’s already been predetermined so we’ll see what happens. I think it’s a mistake, but it’s one that they have made.”
While reiterating for a second time that he would not be running for president, Manchin noted he “could not believe” there wouldn’t be a primary election.
“Other countries do it,” he said before criticizing others for not speaking up about the lack of primary.
“Why is everyone afraid to speak out? Why are they afraid to say ‘This system is wrong. The Democratic party has gone too far left. The Republican party has Donald Trump on the far right. People are looking in the middle, where do you go?”
Manchin continued to vent his frustrations, saying, “Well, we’d like to see that. We’re not going to be able to see a vigorous, not even a three-week primary process. “No one else is willing to speak up. They just say ‘We’re falling behind, we’re going to get in line.’ I’m sorry, I don’t agree with that.”
