Joe Manchin denies rumors: will not run
**After Biden's withdrawal from the Presidential candidacy, Harris is the likely successor. However, Joe Manchin, Senator from West Virginia, has declared that he will not compete with Kamala Harris for the Democratic Presidential nomination. "I will not run for the office of President", Manchin told CBS in an interview. However, he would like to see a "competitive process" for the selection of the candidate. "That's the process - finding out if we have the strongest candidate, whether it's Kamala or whoever it may be". Manchin added that he considers Harris to be "absolutely too far left". "I would like to see that direction change."
Manchin was and is seen as a maverick within the Democratic Party. The Senator often obstructed and blocked plans of the Biden Administration that relied on his vote. Recently, there have been reports in various US media that the 76-year-old is considering running against Harris for the Democratic Presidential nomination. Even before Biden announced his withdrawal, Manchin, as the fifth sitting Senator, had urged the President to run and demanded an "open convention" (open party convention).
This event would transform into a type of mini-primary, where several candidates would likely compete. However, this system has not been used by the Democrats since 1968.
"Democracy is now at stake"
However, Senator Manchin from the Republican-dominated West Virginia joined the Democratic Party only two months ago, acting as an Independent in the US Senate. "My engagement, doing everything in my power to bring our country together, has led me to register as an Independent without party affiliation", Manchin stated at the time.
Manchin used his opportunity as a swing vote in the Senate to bring about changes in laws. Specifically, regarding the Inflation Reduction Act, a legislative package that includes billions of investments in climate protection and the social sector, Manchin had long stood in the way.**
Despite Manchin's initial calls for an open convention and potential challenge, the United States Presidency Election 2024 might still see Kamala Harris as the Democrats' nominee, given Biden's withdrawal and Manchin's reluctance to run. However, Manchin's critical views on Harris being "too far left" could sway Democrat primary voters, potentially leading to a competitive scene in the United States Presidential election.
