MORGANTOWN, WV (WOAY) – Senator Joe Manchin has officially announced that he will not run for president on a third-party ticket.
He believes that his energy is best spent working with the American people outside of a campaign.
During his speech at West Virginia University today Manchin stated, “I decided that I can make a real difference. I truly can with my strengths right now working with my daughter. Working with people that we have around the country on stuff. Americans together by giving all my effort toward that.”
His speech was part of his national listening tour that he announced when he decided to not run for re-election to the Senate.
There has been intense speculation about Manchin’s political future. One option being mulled was a campaign on the No Labels ticket, an independent party that is recruiting candidates. Mitt Romney was being pitched as a potential running mate
Both of those ideas seem to be out the window now.
Instead of jumping into the race, Manchin plans to focus on a new group, Americans Together, which promotes moderate politics.
He said that the current system is not conducive to a third-party run for any candidate.
“I’m not going to be a deal breaker or a spoiler, whatever you want to call it. I just don’t think it’s the right time,” he said. “We’re on a real teetering situation here. Democracy is at stake.”
