'Thank goodness': Liberals turn on West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin after he declines presidential run

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA: In a resolute announcement on Friday, February 16, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin put an end to speculations regarding a potential 2024 presidential bid, affirming that he will not pursue a third-party candidacy.

Speaking at West Virginia University in Morgantown, the Democratic senator declared, “I will not be seeking a third-party run. I will not be involved in a presidential run.”

Manchin's decision comes after contemplation and a national listening tour, where he mulled over the possibility of running as a third-party candidate, potentially representing the 'No Labels' ticket.

Despite his criticisms of President Joe Biden's policies as overly liberal, Manchin reiterated his refusal to align himself with any effort that could facilitate the return of former President Donald Trump to the White House, CNN reported.

Focus on moderation

Having previously set a deadline for this spring to make his decision, Manchin opted to forego a presidential bid to dedicate his efforts to a new initiative, Americans Together, which advocates for moderate politics.

Throughout his tenure in Congress, which commenced in 2010 after winning a special election for a vacant Senate seat, Manchin, positioned as a centrist, has frequently found himself at odds with fellow Democrats.

While instrumental in securing key legislative victories for President Biden during the early stages of his presidency, Manchin has been vocal in his criticism of the administration, particularly concerning environmental, energy, and economic policies.

In his address on Friday, Manchin aimed at both political parties, reserving a more scathing critique for Republicans in Washington and Trump. He condemned the collapse of the bipartisan border deal, attributing it to pressure from Trump and top House Republicans.

Manchin asserted, “So many good friends of mine, so many people I thought were there to do the right thing, they cowered to former President Donald Trump’s request not to fix the border. As guilty as Joe Biden is for letting it happen, Donald Trump is ten times worse for not letting us fix it.”

Advocating for pragmatic solutions reflective of popular sentiment across the nation, Manchin called for the codification of abortion rights, addressing the national debt, and implementing stricter gun safety measures.

Referencing the recent shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration rally, he emphasized the urgent need for updating gun laws to ensure responsible usage.

“I’m not trying to ban anything. I’m just trying to make sure that responsible people know how to use guns responsibly. And that certain guns shouldn’t be in the hands of people. That’s just common sense,” Manchin said.

Manchin also admonished liberal Democrats for their push for extensive cultural changes. “You’re not going to make me accept things I don’t believe in. But on the other side, I’m not going to let you criticize and ostracize something for what they believe in,” the senator said.

Citing the Democratic Party's constraints on competitiveness, Manchin highlighted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s struggles in gaining support within the party ranks. “If a person whose last name is Kennedy … can’t even participate in the Democratic Party in today’s world, it tells you the system is broken. The system is controlled and broken," he said.

Social media backlash

Despite his comments, liberals on social media criticized Manchin after he confirmed he wasn't running for president.

"Save yourself the humiliation of a major loss," one posted on X.

"Thank goodness he's letting us know, now we can stop holding our breath lmao," another wrote.

"I suspect that he realizes that he does not have a lot of trust among the public," someone else offered.

"Good one Joe. We all knew no one would vote for an ex-Democrat, who was really an obstructionist Republican in Democrat clothing," another added.