Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Sunday urged Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) not to launch a third-party presidential bid, arguing it could “spoil his legacy,” while also focusing on No Labels, the centrist party that has flirted with the possibility of putting Manchin on a potential third-party ticket.
Pressed by Jonathan Karl, co-anchor of ABC News’ “This Week,” about his message to Manchin, Moore responded: “My message to Joe Manchin is this: I thank him for his service. I think he had a career of distinguished service…both as governor (and as) senator. I urge him not to ruin his legacy by getting involved in something so stupid. »
Manchin, 76, announced last week that he would not seek re-election to the Senate in 2024, fueling speculation about a third-party presidential bid after floating the idea earlier this year with No Labels, a political group pushing for a third-party ticket.
Moore argued that No Labels “literally has no plan, has no path (and) has no political platform.”
“They don’t even have a candidate,” Moore said. “What No Labels is is a dark money setup that doesn’t disclose its donors but, frankly, will simply delay an election by not being able to find a solution, but by simply continuing to throw wood into this flame of disillusionment. It’s not real.
The Hill has contacted No Labels and Manchin’s office for comment.
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who serves as national co-chair of No Labels, said the group would “most likely” launch a third-party alternative if former President Trump and President Biden win the nominations for their gone. .
Karl raised concerns about whether a No Labels or other third-party candidate could threaten Biden’s re-election chances, pointing to Jill Stein’s surprise Green Party candidacy announced last week, as well as third-party candidacies independent of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornell. West.
Asked if he thought these candidates would cost Biden the election, Moore said, “No. Because I think what President Biden is going to continue to show is that results matter. You know, it’s one thing to say we’re going to call out the system, and it’s another to actually work to improve the systems. And that’s what I think President Biden has continued to show.
Moore then praised Biden’s “economic growth and economic recovery,” saying the outgoing president is delivering “real, productive results” for the country.
“And so, I think all the other things will just seem like noise, while President Biden’s results will actually look like what they are: a real, productive boost for the people of this country,” he said. Moore said.
The fight for 2024, however, showed that the potential race between Biden and Trump was close. Recent polls from the New York Times, CNN, CBS News and Emerson College have shown Trump leading Biden in a hypothetical 2024 matchup, both in key states and nationally.
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