‘Unfavorable notion’: Democratic colleagues attempt to prevent Manchin’s consideration for presidency

Joe Manchin, the only Democrat in the West Virginia Senate, is being advised against running for president by members of his own party. The reason behind the advice is that if the Republicans win the presidency in 2024, they would only need one Senate pick-up to take control. Therefore, fellow Democrats are letting Manchin know he would be making a mistake if he runs for president.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) recalls a conversation he had with Manchin this spring where he advised him against running for president. Manchin’s private reaction, as recalled by Hickenlooper, reflects his public indecision. He looked at me and he nodded, Hickenlooper said.

Keeping an open mind is central to Manchin’s political identity, and his ability to achieve his goals. In this case, it may boost his hopes to fully enact his preferred energy permitting reforms, as well as increase his sway over the implementation of energy provisions in the party-line Inflation Reduction Act. What’s more, Manchin does not see a No Labels run the same way most Democrats do. In an interview, he questioned the assumption that it would inevitably be a spoiler for Democrats.

Manchin won his Senate races by healthy margins in 2010 and 2012, then won by 3 points in 2018. If he runs again, he’ll face his toughest race yet. Popular West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is running for the GOP nod to take him on, and some Republicans argue that Manchin might run for president to stay relevant and avoid a loss to his political rival. However, allies say that’s not the case.

Manchin is one of just four true moderates left in the Senate these days, along with Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who left the Democratic Party last year. Yet Sinema hasn’t openly called for a third-party presidential candidate.

Murkowski, who along with Collins says she would support Manchin’s Senate reelection, said he would leave a “hole” in the Senate if he left. As someone who dispatched a Trump-backed primary challenger last year while also trying to work with Biden, she also seems to understand Manchin’s reasoning.

Manchin is happy being part of the presidential conversation, at least for a while longer. “I’m in no hurry,” he said.

Original Story at www.politico.com – 2023-06-21 08:30:00