Sen. Joe Manchin (IW.Va.) became the fourth senator to call on President Biden to drop out of the presidential race on Sunday, urging the president to be a “uniter” and “pass the torch” to another Democratic candidate.
“I made the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation,” Manchin told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” on Sunday.
“I want him to be president for the last five months of this presidency of his term, to do what he can do is unite our country, calm the rhetoric and be able to focus attention on peace in the world,” Manchin said. “Campaigning, I have participated in state campaigns many times, is an unbelievable challenge for anyone, for anyone physically, mentally, in all shapes and forms. And now, the country and the world need our President Joe Biden, but the compassion he has always had and the ability to bring people together to use all their strength and energy to do so.”
The former Democrat, who left the party in May, made it clear that he still has confidence in Biden’s ability to serve and is not concerned about his mental well-being. However, he called for an “open process” in the coming weeks to select a replacement.
“I think we have a lot of talent on the bench, a lot of good people,” Manchin said, adding that his top picks include governors. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) and Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.)
“I have two incredible governors on my side and Andy Beshear in Kentucky and Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania who operate with legislators who are evenly divided or completely opposite in their party affiliation,” he said. “They didn’t divide your state. They didn’t make you choose and demonize the other side. They brought people together. That’s what an open process would do.”
The senator said an open process and the selection of a younger candidate could encourage voters who have become skeptical of established Democrats to return to the party.
“They have to win me back,” he added.
Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Martin Heinrich (DN.M.) also called on Biden to drop out of the race, as did several members of the House.
But Biden and his campaign have remained adamant that the president will be the Democratic nominee, despite growing calls from party members for him to step aside.
“Joe Biden has made this abundantly clear: he is in this race and he is in it to win it. Furthermore, he is the presumptive nominee, there is no plan for an alternative candidate,” Dan Kanninen, the Biden campaign’s swing states director, wrote in a memo released after the Republican National Convention.
Vice President Kamala Harris is considered the favorite if Biden steps aside, a decision expected to be made this week.
The story was updated at 9:28 a.m. ET
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
