Sen. Joe Manchin says he “completely” would take into account operating for president

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, D-Va., on Wednesday moved nearer to confirming that he might run for president.

“I’ll do every part I can to assist my nation, and also you say: Does this imply you’ll take into consideration that?” “Completely,” Manchin mentioned in an unique interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker.

He added: “Each American ought to take into consideration this if they’re able to assist save the nation.”

Manchin mentioned he should first discover whether or not there may be an urge for food amongst voters for a reasonable candidate like him.

He mentioned: “I’ll do every part in my energy to make sure that this reasonable, cheap and logical heart is mobilized.”

Manchin advised that if he can “re-energize” the middle-of-the-road crowd, that might play a key function in whether or not he launches a White Home bid.

“I am completely, completely scared to loss of life that Donald Trump will change into president once more,” he mentioned. “I feel we are going to lose democracy as we all know it.”

The information comes after Manchin introduced final week that he won’t search re-election to the Senate, which is able to make it troublesome for his social gathering to carry the seat within the deep crimson state and reshape the battle for management of the Senate in 2024.

Manchin mentioned he does not suppose there’s a deadline for him to resolve whether or not to run for president, however mentioned he’ll discover out on Tremendous Tuesday, scheduled for March 5, if he has a following.

The senator dodged questions on whether or not he would run solely as a third-party candidate, saying solely: “The underside line is that I’m as impartial as I’ve change into.”

Manchin seems to reject the concept that making an impartial bid might damage President Joe Biden’s re-election probabilities. He mentioned: “I’ve by no means spoiled something in my life, and I can’t be a spoiler now.”

The senator mentioned he doesn’t imagine that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are the strongest ticket to defeat Trump, arguing that they don’t serve centrists. He mentioned Biden had moved “far left” in his insurance policies, particularly on vitality, and criticized the state of affairs of migrants on the US-Mexico border.

Though he mentioned he was dissatisfied with the Biden administration, Manchin praised the president’s resilience.

“Once I met with Biden, we all the time had a really lively engagement,” Manchin mentioned, dismissing issues concerning the results of the president’s age on his bodily and psychological well being.

Manchin reiterated that he’s involved about the opportunity of Trump profitable one other presidency, particularly for the reason that former president threatened to make use of government authority to retaliate in opposition to his opponents and prosecutors who investigated him and accused him of crimes.