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[Text/Observer Network Zhang Jingjuan] CNN quoted a source close to U.S. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia on the 21st as saying that the 76-year-old Manchin is considering re-registering as a Democrat and joining the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Manchin was originally a Democrat and is now an independent.

According to CBS, Manchin has received calls from Democratic donors and officials encouraging him to re-register as a Democrat and run for president. A person familiar with Manchin's conversation confirmed the news to Politico.

Earlier in the day, US President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and expressed support for nominating Vice President Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate. Before Biden announced his withdrawal, Manchin accepted an interview with CNN and became the fifth senator to call on Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.

Screenshot of the video of U.S. West Virginia Senator Manchin (right) being interviewed by CNN's "State of the Union" program (same below)

Manchin said on "State of the Union" that it is time for Biden to hand over the baton. He hopes the transfer of power can be carried out "in the most respectful manner."

"It is with a heavy heart that I have decided that it is time for (Biden) to pass the torch to a new generation," Manchin said.

Asked how that could be done, he said he wanted an open process to select a new nominee if Biden stepped down.

Manchin personally prefers a governor as a possible replacement, suggesting Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear or Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as potential picks.

He admitted that "campaigning is an incredible mental and physical challenge for anyone," and he hopes Biden can continue to focus on uniting the country, calming rhetoric, and focusing on world peace in the last five months of his term.

Manchin has served as a senator from West Virginia since 2010. In November 2023, Manchin announced that he would not seek re-election in the 2024 election. He issued a statement at the time saying, "After months of careful consideration and long conversations with my family, I believe I have done what I want to do for West Virginia. I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life and will not run for re-election to the United States Senate. But I will travel across the country and speak out to see if I can start a movement to mobilize the middle and unite Americans."

He believes that the growing divisions between the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States are paralyzing Congress and worsening national problems. "Most Americans are exhausted. We need to bring America back and not let divisive hatred push each other further away."

Manchin, who has always been a maverick, was once a major "thorn" in the Democratic Party. He has played a key role in all of Biden's major legislative agendas, helping Biden push Congress to pass a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and obstructing Democrats from advancing a bill to protect abortion rights.

In May this year, Manchin quit the Democratic Party. He said at the time that the United States' "national politics is broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground."

According to the Wall Street Journal, at present, although Biden's support does not ensure Harris's nomination and delegates of the Democratic National Committee are free to vote for the person of their choice, Harris is still the most likely Democratic presidential candidate.

This article is an exclusive article of Observer.com and may not be reproduced without authorization.