In a recent development, while Sen. Joe Manchin's daughter is pushing him to run for the presidency, former President Bill Clinton is expressing concerns about such a move.
Joe Manchin's daughter, Heather Bresch, has been a significant influence in his political decisions.
Over the Labor Day weekend, she was vocal about her desire for her father to run for the highest office in the land.
Heather Bresch, who once held the position of CEO at a pharmaceutical company, is not just suggesting this move.
She is actively pushing for it. She believes that her father should run for president with the support of No Labels, a bipartisan group. This group is currently looking for a Democrat and a Republican to run on a third-party ticket in the upcoming presidential election.
Manchin has shown support for No Labels in the past. He even served as an honorary co-chair for the group and was a key speaker at an event they held in New Hampshire in July.
Bill Clinton, on the other hand, has reservations. He met with Manchin and expressed his concerns about the potential implications of such a candidacy.
Clinton believes that if Manchin runs as a third-party candidate, it might inadvertently help former President Donald Trump return to the White House.
During their meeting, Clinton was quite vocal about his worries. He cautioned Manchin against launching a third party. However, after sharing his concerns, Clinton took a step back and listened to the family's discussions about the various options available to Manchin.
Manchin's political future is at a crossroads. He has to decide between running for president, ending his political career, or seeking reelection in West Virginia. The latter option might be challenging, especially against the popular Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia.
A poll conducted by Morning Consult in July revealed some concerning numbers for Manchin. He had the second-lowest approval rating among all U.S. Senators.
Only Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had a worse rating. 55% of West Virginians disapproved of Manchin, while only 39% approved.
Manchin believes that to win reelection in West Virginia, which is increasingly leaning Republican, he might have to run as an Independent. This belief was further solidified when Gov. Jim Justice filed his intent to run with the Federal Election Commission.
Despite the odds, Manchin remains confident. He once stated, "I will win any race I enter," hinting at a potential White House bid, Breitbart reported.
Manchin's confidence was evident when he spoke at the No Labels forum in New Hampshire in July. He said, "I've never been in any race I've ever spoiled. I've been in races to win. And if I get in a race, I'm going to win."
Manchin's potential run for the presidency is still a topic of speculation. He has not ruled out the possibility, keeping all options on the table.
Bill Clinton's plea to Manchin showcases the complexities and intricacies of political decisions. It remains to be seen how Manchin will navigate these challenges and what decision he will ultimately make.
