Sen. Joe Manchin says he is not running for president or vice president

Sen. Joe Manchin III put a hard stop to any speculation that he would run for president now that President Biden has dropped out of the race.

“Let me make it very clear to you: I am not going to be a candidate for president,” the West Virginia independent said Monday on “CBS Mornings.” “I am a candidate basically speaking for the middle of this country.”

Reports said Sunday that Mr. Manchin was considering rejoining the Democratic Party to run against Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination, but Mr. Manchin put a stop to them Monday.

He also said that he wouldn’t be interested in serving as vice president for Ms. Harris.

“Trust me, it’s not me. There’s a great — there you go, you had them all lined up there. A lot of good people. They’re all good. Wouldn’t it be great to see them all?” Mr. Manchin said.

He left the Democratic Party in May because he said he didn’t like the way the party was going. He also is not seeking reelection for his Senate seat.

He said there should be a mini-primary to pick the Democratic nominee.

“I think that a lot of people would like to see a mini-primary. That’s the process to find out if you have the strongest candidate, whether it be Kamala or someone else, to get behind,” Mr. Manchin said. “But now that seems to be predetermined by President Biden.”   

He said people “are looking in the middle” and there should be a “three-week primary process.”

“Nobody else is willing to speak up. They’re just saying we’re just going to fall in line,” he said. “I don’t agree with that.”   

Mr. Biden dropped out of the presidential race Sunday in an X post. In another post, he endorsed Ms. Harris to take over his spot on the ticket.