Senator Manchin says he will not run for president in 2024
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Senator Joe Manchin had earlier told CNN he would not be interested in running as Ms Kamala Harris’ vice-president.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON - US Senator Joe Manchin on July 22 ruled out running for president against potential Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, who was endorsed by President Joe Biden
“Let me make it very clear to you ... I am not going to be a candidate for president. I am a candidate for basically speaking for the middle of this country,” Mr Manchin told CBS television shortly after refusing to rule out a run in another interview.
Mr Manchin said he favoured the idea of a “mini-primary” process before a candidate to replace Mr Biden was chosen. Asked if he thought Ms Harris was too liberal, Mr Manchin said, “Absolutely”.
Moments earlier, Mr Manchin was asked on CNN if he would run against Harris. “I don’t know,” he said.
But he told CNN he would not be interested in running as Ms Harris’ vice president.
Mr Manchin said he had received calls from people asking him to consider a 2024 candidacy, saying they needed a more centrist figure to lead the country.
“I want the centre of this country to be able to say, we have a voice. We’re not extreme left, we’re not extreme right,” said Mr Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in May decrying “partisan extremism”. REUTERS
