President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would “stand down” as a candidate for reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket.
Almost as soon as the announcement was made via social media — presumably by President Biden — there was talk of Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) possibly changing his party affiliation back to Democrat and making his own bid as the party’s nominee.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper was among the first to comment on the possibility: “Sources close to Sen. Joe Manchin, independent of WV, say he’s considering re-registering as a Democrat and throwing his hat into the ring.”
Sources close to Sen Joe Manchin, independent of WV, say he’s considering re-registering as a Democrat and throwing his hat into the ring
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 21, 2024
Early signs indicate that backing Harris is the politically correct move on the left. She is billed as a black American, though her father was from Jamaica, and her mother was born in southern India.
Tapper shared a statement from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a potential veep selection, falling in line, adding that Gov. Gavin Newson and other viable Democrats are now coalescing around Harris.
Other Democrats said to have been considering a run should Biden bow out rallying around VP Harris… Gov Newsom, now Secretary Buttigieg https://t.co/f7gHRT1xAl
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 21, 2024
Then again, a white male bumping a woman of color in post-Obama America is a tough sell — one that Manchin will have to deal with if he challenges Harris.
There may be another reason Harris is in, as seen from none other than Elon Musk himself — she’s a reliable “puppet” for the deep-pocket powerbrokers who really run DC.
“I heard last week that he would resign at this exact time and date. It was widespread knowledge in DC. The real powers that be are discarding the old puppet in favor of one that has a better chance of fooling the public. They fear Trump because he is not a puppet,” Musk posted on X.
I heard last week that he would resign at this exact time and date. It was widespread knowledge in DC.
The real powers that be are discarding the old puppet in favor of one that has a better chance of fooling the public.
They fear Trump because he is not a puppet.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2024
Prior to Biden’s bombshell announcement, Manchin called on him to leave the presidential race.
“I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation,” Manchin told Tapper on “State of the Union.”
“I want him to be the president in the last five months of this presidency of his term, to do what he can do is unite our country, to calm down the rhetoric and be able to focus attention to peace in the world,” he added.
Biden’s decision left Democrats in uncharted waters, but Manchin supports an “open process” to select a replacement and named a couple of other prospects worthy of consideration.
“I think that we have a lot of talent on the bench, a lot of good people,” Manchin told Tappe, before naming Govs. Andy Beshear (D-KY) and Josh Shapiro (D-PA).
Fox News host Bret Baier touted an interview with Manchin coming up on Monday’s edition of Special Report, adding this quote on Manchin mulling the decision, “Even just to have the discussion of bringing the party back to the center.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at writers@bizpcreview.com with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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