(Headline USA) Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said this week that he would not rule out challenging President Joe Biden for the White House in 2024.
Asked during an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd about his political future, Manchin said he’s not sure what he wants to do either way. He could run for reelection in the Senate, or he could seek a higher office.
“I haven’t made a decision what I’m going to do in 2024,” he said. “I have two years ahead of me. Everything’s on the table.”
The one position Manchin has ruled out is the governorship in West Virginia, he said.
Todd pressed Manchin on whether he has even higher aspirations than a governorship, and Manchin said, “The only thing I can tell you is what I will do is whatever I can, when I make my decision, what I think is best that I can support and represent the people of West Virginia, but also be true to this country and the Constitution of this country.”
Manchin did not answer a question about whether he would run for president as a Democrat or Republican.
“I’m telling you that I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that when I make my decision, I make it on based on what’s best, what I think I can do to support, and best for my country and my state,” he said.
Manchin also refused to endorse Biden for reelection in 2024.
“I haven’t decided on anything I’m going to do until I see what the lay of the land is going to be at that time,” Manchin said. “This country needs to unite. We need to come back together.”
According to reports, Manchin is considering joining his colleague Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent.
