Manchin keeps 2024 presidential speculation alive: ‘I don’t like the direction we’re going’

The Hill ^ | 02-07-2023 | ALEXANDER BOLTON

[ChicagoConservative27]

Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) kept speculation alive about him running for president in 2024 as a third-party candidate, telling reporters Tuesday “I don’t like the direction we’re going” and declining to rule out a bid for higher office.

Manchin has criticized Democratic leaders for refusing to negotiate with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) over a package of fiscal reforms to attach to legislation raising the debt limit and has repeatedly voiced frustration over the lack of progress in Washington on energy permitting reform and addressing the nation’s $31 trillion debt.

“I don’t know what the next chapter will be, I don’t know [where] the future lies, I really don’t,” Manchin said when asked if he would run for president next year during a question-and-answer session hosted by Semafor’s Steve Clemons.

“I can tell you one thing: I feel, like most Americans, we’ve got to come together. Americans want to be united, they want to be together and right now we’re going further apart,” he said.

[Quentin Quarantino]

HIs ceaseless worry and hand-wringing has become tiresome.

[2nd Amendment]

I would NEVER vote for a ‘Rat. But under the penalty of death, Manchin is the only dim I would consider.