Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, is urging President Joe Biden to abandon his re-election bid and focus on the remaining months of his presidency.
WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, on Sunday urged President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign and focus on the remaining months of his presidency.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided it is time to pass the torch to a new generation,” the West Virginia lawmaker told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress have said it’s time for Biden to leave the race. Four Democratic senators — Peter Welch of Vermont, Jon Tester of Montana, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sherrod Brown of Ohio — have said the Democratic president should end his reelection campaign against Republican Donald Trump.
Biden’s performance at the debate raised open questions about the 81-year-old’s ability to mount a compelling campaign to defeat Trump.
“I am truly concerned about the health and well-being of the president,” Manchin said on ABC’s “This Week.”
He also said, “I really believe the Democratic Party needs an open process” in choosing a nominee to replace Biden.
Manchin, who became an independent in May after years as a Democrat, will not seek re-election to the Senate