Joe Manchin on his political future: “Everything’s on the table”

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin remains to be enjoying coy about his future in politics, saying “all the things’s on the desk and nothing off the desk.”

The West Virginia senator has but to announce whether or not he’ll run for reelection in 2024. He advised “Face the Nation” on Sunday he’ll win if he does run, however he has additionally left the door open to a potential presidential run.

“The underside line is I am not concerned within the political course of proper now, with all of the issues we’ve to do,” Manchin mentioned when requested whether or not he was able to endorse President Biden’s reelection marketing campaign. “Everybody thinks about politics first. I do not. It isn’t concerning the politics. It isn’t about my reelection or anybody else. We’ve got an terrible lot of labor to do.”

Manchin listed quite a lot of points he mentioned are extra essential than politics, together with allowing reform, assist for Ukraine, inflation and the nation’s funds. 

“Should you throw politics in, I am going to assure you will not get any selections on any of that,” he mentioned.

West Virginia’s Republican Gov. Jim Justice introduced in April he was working to interchange Manchin, who has mentioned he would take till the top of the yr to determine about his political future.

“Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan requested Manchin whether or not his timeline offers Justice a bonus.

“My job is to do what I can to assist the individuals of West Virginia and assist this nice nation of ours and defend the Structure. That is really the first explanation for my job. It isn’t for me to get reelected,” he mentioned. “If I run, I’ll win.”

Manchin would be the Democrats’ greatest hope of preserving the seat within the pink state, which voted overwhelmingly for former President Donald Trump in 2020. However the average has additionally been a thorn for Democrats, blocking a few of their prime priorities in a intently divided Senate.

Extra