(Headline USA) Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., met with former President Bill Clinton recently as he considers mounting a third-party bid to challenge President Joe Biden.
The Washington Post reported that Manchin’s political future was the focus of a private meeting with Clinton, whom Manchin asked for advice. According to the report, Manchin is considering three options: a reelection campaign for the Senate as an independent, a third-party bid for the presidency in 2024, or retirement.
Donors are reportedly encouraging Manchin to stay in the Senate, but members of Manchin’s family have been pushing the Democrat to seek the White House via No Labels, a self-described “centrist” organization.
Manchin has been vocal in his support for the group, which has vowed to run a candidate of its own if Biden and former President Donald Trump are the two nominees for 2024.
Manchin has also teased the idea of a presidential campaign.
“The only thing I can tell you is when I make my decision, what I think is the best I can support and represent the people of West Virginia and also be true to this country and the Constitution,” he said earlier this year.
Manchin’s meeting with Clinton was not planned, according to the Post. The senator reportedly learned Clinton was in the area and reached out to request the meeting.
Clinton encouraged Manchin not to run for president, citing Democrats’ concern that splitting the Democrat vote would help Trump, according to the Post.
Either way, Manchin has signaled that he’s preparing to leave the Democrat Party.
“I have to have peace of mind, basically. The brand has become so bad. The D brand and R brand … You’ve heard me say a million times, I am not a Washington Democrat,” said Manchin. “I’ve been thinking about that for quite some time. I haven’t made any decisions whatsoever on any of my political direction. I want to make sure that my voice is truly an independent voice.”
