Is Joe Manchin ready to call it quits?
After announcing he would not pursue another term in the U.S. Senate, Manchin (D-W.V.) refused to rule out a presidential campaign in the near future. (RELATED: Joe Manchin Not Running For Reelection)
In a Tuesday interview, Manchin would neither confirm nor deny he was considering this option.
“It's not about me. It's not about the next election. I keep telling people, this is a movement,” he told CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell when asked directly about his presidential ambitions.
“I don't know how to tell you. I don't know what the future lies [sic]. I know we cannot continue [in] the direction we are going,” he said.
The West Virginia moderate Democrat said he had “plenty of time” to make the decision.
“Only in America does the next election start the day after the last election. Most countries don't have election a year ahead of time,” Manchin said. “I think there's plenty of time, plenty of time. And especially if there's a movement in the middle, there's not a primary. It'll be basically in the general election process.”
Manchin stopped short of openly supporting President Biden in the next election. He said Biden had drifted to the far left and could not be considered a moderate anymore.
“I want President Biden — I would hope that changes would come,” he said.
Manchin has pushed back on his Party's agenda over the past years, voicing concerns the Democrat Party has drifted too far left. The moderate Democrat has hinted towards leaving the party in the future.
“Are you considering leaving the Democratic Party?” O'Donnell asked him.
“I'm not sure if the Democratic Party thinks I'm part of them anyway,” Manchin responded.
Manchin attended a “No Labels” event in New Hampshire over the summer, causing some fellow Democrats to worry he might mount a “spoiler” campaign against Biden. (RELATED: No Labels Founder Pledges To End Third-Party Effort If It Aids Trump)
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