Manchin's future includes campaign to unite, but perhaps not for any office

In a video posted to social media Nov. 9, the West Virginia Democrat announced he had reached a decision about his future.

“After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia,” he said. “I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States Senate.”

The announcement appears to assure Manchin’s Senate seat will flip next year, as there is no viable Democratic successor in sight and Gov. Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney are in the middle of a hotly contested race for the GOP nomination.

Justice, shortly after Manchin’s announcement, thanked Manchin for his service to the state.

“I wish him the very, very best,” Justice said.

Back in April, just hours before Justice was set to announce his senatorial campaign, Manchin released a statement vowing to “win any race I enter.”

“I am laser focused on doing the job West Virginians elected me to do — lowering health-care costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, shoring up American energy security and getting our fiscal house in order,” Manchin said. “But make no mistake, I will win any race I enter.”

Former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Justice in the race, took credit for Manchin’s decision not to enter the race.

“Because I endorsed Big Jim Justice of West Virginia for the U.S. Senate, and he has taken a commanding lead, Democrat Joe Manchin has decided not to seek re-election. Looking good for Big Jim!” Trump said in social media post.

Days later, during a wide-ranging press call, Manchin warned of the dire consequences of electing Trump to another term.

“I think if Donald Trump is elected, he will destroy democracy in America,” the senator said.

Manchin then went on to sharply criticize Trump.

“You can’t have this visceral hatred spewing out every time you give a speech, denigrating Americans,” Manchin said. “The only good American is the one that likes and supports you; the only fair election is the one you win; laws pertain to everybody but you; and Jan. 6 was a walk-in-the-park visit to their favorite place, the United States Capitol. This is crazy stuff.”

Democrats bear at least partial responsibility for Trump’s election in 2016, Manchin said.

“I’ve told Democrats. I’ve said, ‘Why are you upset with Donald Trump? You should be upset with yourself, to have the most flawed human being to be able to be accepted by how many millions of people to be president,’” Manchin said. “Something is wrong with you all — don’t blame him.”

Trump “shook up” the political establishment during his first term, Manchin said.

“He shook it up before,” he said. “I guarantee [if] he comes back, he’ll break it now. Because now he knows enough of what he needs to do to get everything he wants.”

The former president has already been discussing what he will do if re-elected, Manchin said.

“When he says, ‘I’m going to use that to go after my detractors, I’m going to go after my accusers,’” Manchin said. “You can’t say that you’re going to take the most powerful office in the world and use it for vengeful purposes.”

First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, Manchin served as governor from 2005 to 2010 and as West Virginia secretary of state from 2001 to 2005.

Although Manchin is believed to be considering running for the White House as part of a ticket put together by the No Labels organization, he didn’t give specifics about his next steps.

For now, Manchin said he will “go around” gauging support from those who are in the “radical middle” of the political spectrum.

“It’s going to be everything from A to Z and all the soup nuts in between,” he said. “Anything and everything I can do to get audiences.”

No Labels issued a statement shortly after Manchin’s announcement saying it is “gathering input” ahead of an announcement expected next year.

“As we have said from the beginning, we will make a decision by early 2024 about whether we will nominate a Unity presidential ticket and who will be on it,” the statement read.