'No more Joe’s please': Internet trolls Joe Manchin for suggesting he could be 'younger' presidential alternative
WASHINGTON, DC: Joe Manchin, the 76-year-old Senator from West Virginia, teased about his potential third-party candidature for the 2024 presidential election, reported the Associated Press.
He joked about the presidential age, saying he could be a slightly younger president than the leading competitors at the Gridiron Club's annual winter dinner in Washington, DC, on December 9.
"With all due respect, the president is 81 years old. Donald Trump is 77," Manchin said. "I truly believe the American people are ready to pass the torch to a new generation, somebody younger. I'd say maybe someone close to 76 that doesn't look a day over 70," the Democratic Senator added.
Joe Manchin withdrew his decision to run after Democratic concern about splitting votes
With Manchin's recent retirement announcement from the Senate, there were reports of him running as a third-party candidate for the 2024 presidential elections.
The Senator also confirmed the news in November in an interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker, stating that he would "absolutely" consider a presidential run.
However, he refrained from moving forward as some Democrats expressed concerns that if he ran as an independent candidate, that could affect Joe Biden's support and may lead to Donald Trump's second entry into the Oval Office.
Manchin also quipped on his presidential bid plans in the annual dinner. "I've heard it all. You all heard it all," he said. "Most of you probably told me. They say that my running would throw the election to Trump. Others say my running might help Biden. Hell, I'm trying to find out how it would help me."
Internet mocks Joe Manchin's ambition
Netizens reacted to Manchin's light-hearted attempt to test waters about his potential candidacy, saying they do not want a presidential candidate with the same name and one more above 70.
One user said, "No more Joe’s please."
Another user said, "No,Thank you Too old....."
"This Joe would be no more improvement than the current Joe!" remarked a third user.
This Joe would be no more improvement than the current Joe!
— George Moore (@moor82468) December 11, 2023
Comments on Facebook also mocked the Senator.
One user said, "What a joke."
"Keep dreaming," another stated.
Another reaction read, "Jokes would be the key word."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.