Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent from West Virginia, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that President Joe Biden should stop campaigning for president.
Anchorman Jake Tapper asked, “Should President Biden step down or continue running?”
“I haven’t said anything in the three-plus weeks since the debate. I thought the first week was necessary for the president to evaluate, talk with his family and staff and make some kind of decision. I thought that might happen. And then the next two weeks, I’m saying let’s see what my colleagues in statewide races, senator races, district races, congressional races, who are in very difficult races, do. They’ve been pretty vocal and clear about it because they think it will affect them. You look at the donors, the campaign finances, the campaign milk, you know it’s going to be very difficult,” Manchin said.
He continued, “That being said, my prayers are with the health and well-being of my friend the President. I believe he has the chance and the opportunity to finish his five months as President by uniting America the way he has always presided over his duties, whether as a senator or as president, by bringing peace to the Middle East, by supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and by showing the whole world that the transfer of power can be done in the most respectful way by a global superpower. And I hope so, because I think that will leave him with a great legacy as one of the greatest leaders we’ve had.”
He added, “It is with a heavy heart that I have come to this decision, as I believe the time has come to pass the baton to a new generation.”
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