Manchin Still Considering Third-Party Presidential Run

• Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said in an interview over the weekend with CNN that he wouldn't rule out a potential third-party presidential run, probably using state ballot lines that were secured by the bipartisan group No Labels. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• In the interview, Manchin called Democratic Pres. Joe Biden a "good, decent man," while expressing worry over what he called "far, far-left liberals" who are steering the current administration. Washington Examiner
• Manchin also described the possible reelection of former Pres. Donald Trump, the current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, is "very much concerning to every human being who basically loves the country that we have." CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Although No Labels was established in response to polling that shows dissatisfaction among the electorate with a Biden-Trump choice and tribalism in politics, the group has been relatively quiet about meeting its mid-March deadline for deciding whether to enter a ticket into the race. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• On Friday, Manchin appeared at a town hall organized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he described himself as "fiscally conservative and socially compassionate," and also said he wouldn't want to spoil Biden's reelection bid but would run if he sees a "clear opening" to victory. AJC
• Previously, Manchin in November announced he wouldn't seek reelection to the Senate, instead opting to travel the country to gauge interest in a "movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together." Manchin

Narrative A:

• Everyone who can do something to prevent the reelection of Trump to the White House must mobilize in that endeavor. Biden has moved too far to the left to provide the strongest challenge to the former president, so it could be time to find someone more middle-of-the-road to challenge Trump. Such a campaign wouldn't spoil Biden's chances, it would save America from the clutches of authoritarianism.
  NBC (LR: 2 CP: 4)

Democratic narrative:

• A presidential run for a third party would be a foolish move by Manchin, who risks putting the country in jeopardy and tarnishing his own legacy. Biden and his policies are plenty bipartisan, and he's getting things done he promised to do. Biden deserves a second term, and Manchin should stay away from being associated with No Labels, which is a corporate-backed, problematic operation.
  ABC NEWS

Republican narrative:

• Joe Manchin is definitely right when he says that the Biden administration has been hijacked by the far left, but he doesn't seem to recognize that his entire party is overrun with extreme leftists. While Manchin's moderate approach as a red-state Democrat may appeal to some voters, he would likely just eat into Biden's fraying support base. A third-party run for Manchin would likely just increase Donald Trump's chances of returning to the White House.
  FOX NEWS (LR: 4 CP: 4)

Nerd narrative:

• There's a 7% chance that Manchin will declare as a third-party or independent candidate for the 2024 presidential election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)