Democrats relieved as Manchin rules out White House bid

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Democrats relieved as Manchin rules out White House bid
By Anthony Zurcher
February 16, 2024

When Joe Manchin, one of the most high-profile centrists in US politics, announced he would not be running for president on Friday, you could almost hear the sigh of relief from the Biden campaign.

The West Virginia senator had said he was considering a run to provide an alternative to voters unhappy with both Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

The self-described "conservative Democrat" has criticised both major parties and their leaders in recent years.

Democrats were concerned that an independent bid could help deliver the White House to the Republicans in November's election.

Mr Manchin finally ended the speculation on Friday, and seemed to acknowledge that the prospect of such unintended consequences was a factor in his decision not to run.

"I will not be a deal-breaker or a spoiler," he said in a speech in his home state.

News of Mr Manchin's decision will be well received in the White House.

"Democrats have been really freaking out at the prospect of a third party candidate, especially one who comes from a more moderate, centrist background," says Amy Walters, editor of the Cook Political Report, which analyses campaigns and elections.

Polls suggest that there is fertile ground this year for an independent or third-party a campaign, given that a majority of Americans have expressed dissatisfaction with a Biden-Trump rematch of the 2020 campaign.

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