Democrats Fear Manchin Ambivilence Could Undermine 2024 Senate Prospects

Politico has reported that senior Democrats are cautioning centrist Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) against a White House bid, ahead of a highly challenging 2024 Senate campaign where Manchin is seen as crucial to Democrat prospects of holding the Senate.

• Manchin has declined rumours, he could primary President Biden, or launch a presidential bid as a Republican or independent, but Politico reports that Democrats fear a presidential bid, or refusal to seek Senate re-election, “could hand the GOP both the Senate and the White House if he does.” Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) told Manchin running for president, “would help Donald Trump.”
• A recent ECU Poll showed GOP candidate Governor Jim Justice (R-WV) leading Manchin by 22 points in the WV Senate race. The GOP need to flip one seat to take control of the Senate if they win the White House, and two if Democrats retain the presidency.
• Politico notes that Manchin has until January to file for a presidential bid and in the meantime, “he’s opposing some of President Joe Biden’s nominees, voting to roll back some of the president’s policies and criticizing the administration as “radical” on energy.”