MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) 鈥 Iowa and New Hampshire are about to kick off the 2024 presidential nominating process, but Sen. Joe Manchin said Friday it won鈥檛 become clear until March whether there鈥檚 a path for a third-party candidate.
The West Virginia Democrat visited New Hampshire just before the Jan. 23 primary, and though he insisted his only goal was to promote his new Americans Together organization aimed at fostering bipartisanship and giving moderates a voice, he has previously floated the possibility of a presidential run. He demurred when an audience member at the 鈥淧olitics & Eggs鈥 event suggested that Democrats should write him in on their ballots. Asked about a possible run, he told reporters later that he thinks Super Tuesday will provide a better perspective on the political landscape.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 going to be an option or a need for an option, you鈥檒l find out by then,鈥 he said. 鈥淏y March, you鈥檙e going to have pretty much a lay of the land and what you鈥檙e going to have and what you鈥檙e going to be offered.鈥
Manchin, , said on NBC鈥檚 鈥淢eet the Press鈥 in November that he would 鈥渁bsolutely鈥 consider a run for president. And last month, the 76-year-old joked that the nation could use than the leading contenders, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Some Democrats have expressed concern that a run by the centrist Manchin as an independent could cut into Biden鈥檚 support and pave the way for Trump winning a second term. Asked by the event鈥檚 moderator Friday who would get his vote if Biden and Trump are the nominees, Manchin declined to answer.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a difficult question right there,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou have to make a decision 鈥 the character of that candidate, whether you agree or disagree, whether you support or haven鈥檛 supported, whether you鈥檙e in the same political party or not.鈥
Earlier in his speech, Manchin emphasized the importance of 鈥渢he character of the people who want to serve.鈥 But he declined to say whether Trump or Biden has a stronger character when asked by a reporter.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to make that decision, I already made my decision,鈥 he said.
The event opened with a campaign-style video promoting Americans Together that poked fun at the notion that 鈥渕oderate鈥 has become a dirty word in Washington. The organization is being run by Manchin鈥檚 daughter, Heather Bresch, who announced the listening tour Friday. Manchin himself offered few details.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know, I have to talk to my daughter,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 have still a job to do, and she tells me when I can go wherever my schedule allows.鈥
