Spoiler Joe? Speculation grows Manchin might wage third-party challenge to Biden
An independent run by West Virginia senator would be reminiscent of Ross Perot's disruptive '92 bid.
By Nick Givas
Sen. Joe Manchin has been courting top-level political donors in recent weeks while remaining coy about running for another term representing West Virginia, stoking speculation he might wage a third-party challenge in the 2024 presidential race that could siphon Democrat votes from Joe Biden.
An adviser to major GOP donors told Just the News this week that Manchin recently spent time with some big name conservative funders,
"Joe Biden has gone so far to the left. And sometimes it seems like Sen. Manchin is all alone in the Senate, except when (Arizona Sen.) Kyrtsen Sinema occasionally joins him. But really there are five to seven other Democrats who feel just like him," the adviser said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was referencing private discussions. "He just has the courage of his convictions to drive his decisions."
"There are a number of conservatives who have spent time with Sen. Manchin. They were actually hoping he would switch to the Republican Party," the adviser added. "Now the Senator hasn't said this but it's been suggested by others that he might have (switched) if Mitch McConnell wasn't the GOP leader. An independent run might be the next best thing."
The aforementioned anonymous adviser isn't the only source pushing the idea of a Manchin for President campaign. Politico ran an article last month speculating about the West Virginia Democrat's future, stating that he still has time to make a decision on whether or not to make an independent run at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
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https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/eve-third-wheelhow-manchin-could-become-next-ross-perot-centrist-voters
