Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia has stirred speculations of a US presidency run by calling for an end to political polarization.
In an interview with CNN, the outgoing senator revealed that he could “absolutely” see himself as president, and criticized the current administration for leaning too far to the left. While he called President Joe Biden a “good, decent man,” he expressed concern over a potential second Biden term, fearing a far-left-dominated White House staff.
In response, Biden and aides are reportedly trying to distance themselves from Manchin and are hoping he decides against an independent run. The senator has suggested that he might join the centrist “No Labels” group, which is currently experiencing turmoil internally over whether to have a Republican or Democrat atop their ticket.
When asked about his political goals, Manchin revealed he wants to be able to “bring this country back together,” saying, “I truly believe that we have more in common than we’ve ever had that divides us.” He added that it was time for Americans to “unite and heal” after the heated 2020 elections and ongoing political divisions.
The senator’s comments come as the United States faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts, including an ongoing pandemic, a wavering economy, and rising geopolitical tensions. The country is also grappling with a sharp political divide that has repeatedly flared up into violent incidents, including the assault on the US Capitol earlier this year.
Some political analysts have suggested that Manchin’s proposed campaign could help reset the political landscape by drawing attention to the issue of political polarization. However, others have warned that his candidacy could split the centrist vote, potentially benefiting a far-left or far-right candidate.