Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat, is speaking at a “No Labels” event in New Hampshire today. His appearance in an early primary state is stoking rumors of a presidential bid.
Summary
Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat, is speaking at a “No Labels” event in New Hampshire today. His appearance in an early primary state is stoking rumors of a presidential bid.
- Manchin is set to appear with former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican who served as Ambassador to China under President Barack Obama and ran for President as a moderate in 2012, losing the Republican nomination to Mitt Romney.
- The “No Labels” group is actively promoting a third-party centrist candidate for president. Manchin’s decision to speak to the group seemingly indicates he is at least open to the idea of being that third-party presidential candidate.
- The West Virginia Senator hasn’t yet confirmed whether he’ll seek reelection for his Senate seat, run for president or retire. Manchin is widely believed to be the only Democrat who can win statewide in West Virginia and has broken with his party on key issues like energy policy.
- No Labels has raised $70 million so far and aims to take advantage of widespread voter dissatisfaction with the prospect of a Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch.
- A NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll found 49% of respondents would consider a third-party candidate if the major-party nominees are Biden and Trump.
- CNN’s Stephen Collinson predicted Manchin’s trip would be “driving Democrats to distraction” despite his insistence to CNN that the trip was merely about starting a “dialogue for common sense.”
- The Guardian noted that No Labels is “described as well-funded even though it’s not clear where a lot of the money is coming from.”
- The New York Times examined No Labels’ manifesto. Their political platform includes calling for the government to “stop “releasing” undocumented migrants into the country… but the government must also broaden legal immigration channels and offer a path to citizenship to those brought to the country as children.”
- The Washington Examiner observed Manchin’s appearance comes one day after No Labels unveiled its “Common Sense” policy agenda that includes reforming entitlements, investing in American energy, creating a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants and border security.
- Fox News reported that Democrats fear Manchin would be a third-party “spoiler” in the 2024 election. Manchin himself rejected comparisons to Ross Perot, the populist third-party candidate who helped cost President George H. W. Bush a second term in 1992.
- Breitbart covered Democratic efforts to force No Labels to reveal its donors. The Arizona Democratic Party filed a complaint against No Labels to force disclosure or lose its status as a political party, possibly costing the centrist political outfit ballot access in a key swing state.
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© Dominic Moore, 2023
