At DC roast, Joe Manchin jokes he could be the slightly younger president America needs
WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Joe Manchin used a weekend Washington roast to tease a potential third party for the White House, joking that the nation could use someone slightly younger than the leading contenders.
Manchin said Saturday evening at the Gridiron Club's winter dinner that the country could benefit from a younger leader than President Joe Biden or the 2024 Republican Party frontrunner, former President Donald Trump.
“With all due respect, the president is 81 years old. Donald Trump is 77,” said Machin, a West Virginia Democrat who announced last month that he would not run for re-election in 2024. the torch for a new generation, someone younger. I would say that someone almost 76 years old doesn't look a day over 70.”
The outgoing lawmaker is 76 years old.
Manchin previously indicated he might run for the White House. He said in an NBC “Meet the Press” interview in November that he would “absolutely” consider a run for president. Some Democrats have expressed concern that a centrist Manchin leadership as an independent could undermine Biden's support and pave the way for Trump to win a second term in the White House.
The Gridiron Club and Foundation's annual Washington dinner, which traces its history to 1885, features songs and speeches from Democrats, Republicans and journalists expected to “scorch” but “not burn” the capital's political elite .
In his comments, Manchin also joked about the idea that he could be a spoiler if he decides to run.
“I've heard it all. You all heard it,” Manchin said. “Most of you probably told me. They say my participation would mean the election for Trump. Others say my running could help Biden. I'm trying to figure out how it would help me.”
Manchin also used humor to defend the political organization No Labels, a group with which Manchin has long ties and is considering running a third party for the White House. Supporters of Manchin and another retiring senator, Republican Mitt Romney of Utah, have launched an effort to encourage the pair to seek the No Labels nomination.
“You would think that No Labels is the root of every problem we have in Washington,” Manchin said. “How did you end up in Mar-a-Lago with so many classified documents? They were No Labels.”
Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina gave the Republican answer at the dinner.