Joe Manchin declines to endorse Biden in 2024, leaves door open for own presidential run

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), declined to endorse President Joe Biden It was open to the possibility that he could be challenged in the Democratic race for the nod. 2024.

Manchin noted that it was too early to know “who all of the players” and that he wasn’t ready to support Biden. This is a clear indication that there are significant differences between Manchin and his party.

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“There is plenty of time for elections. America’s current problem is this: Each cycle brings about an election. Let’s get to the bottom of it. We’ll wait to see all of the participants.” Manchin told CBS’s Face the Nation.

Biden has yet to officially declare his 2024 campaign but has insisted that he “intends” to do so and is rumored to be eyeing an April launch. So far, his only Democratic challenger is bestselling self-help author Marianne Williamson, who formally unveiled her campaign Saturday.

An overwhelming myriad of Democrats has rallied around Biden ahead of his expected party coronation. CBS Host Margaret Brennan pressed Manchin on his reelection plans, saying that Manchin said he is “not running for president.”

“I didn’t say anything about that. The bottom line is I will make my political decision in December, whatever it may be,” Manchin shot back. “I’m not taking anything off the table. And I’m not putting anything on the table.”

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Manchin has previously countered reports that he ruled out a presidential run. Polling has shown a fierce reelection race for Manchin if West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R), who is term-limited, jumps into the race. Former President Donald Trump won Manchin’s ruby-red state by nearly 40 percentage points in 2020.

During Biden’s first two years in office, Manchin served as the linchpin senator and scuttled numerous versions of the president’s “Build Back Better” agenda before reaching an agreement last year on the $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act package. Manchin recently reflected on his relationship with Biden, saying, “we’re not in the same ballpark on so many things.”