Statement from Third Way President Jon Cowan on Senator Joe Manchin’s Announcement that he Will Not Run on a Third-Party Ticket for President

WASHINGTON — Third Way released the following statement from President Jonathan Cowan:

“Senator Joe Manchin has been a friend to Third Way since his days as West Virginia’s governor and through his remarkable and consequential tenure in the United States Senate. We are delighted that Joe Manchin has opted against a third-party presidential run.

“There is no task more important than preserving America’s democracy and ensuring that Donald Trump does not return to the White House. Senator Manchin is clear-eyed that the fate of our democracy is on the line. A third-party run would divide the anti-Trump majority and clear Trump’s path to power. There are few politicians as astute as Senator Manchin. By stating today, ‘I am not going to be a spoiler,’ Manchin made a clear and compelling assessment of the danger. It is a conclusion that both prominent Democrats and Republicans have reached. We salute Joe Manchin for putting country over personal glory in his decision.

“Joe Manchin has had a tremendous career in public service and we know that his contributions are far from over. His efforts to build out the center of American political discourse through his new non-profit venture, Americans Together, is vital work. He is correct that the political extremes are louder and more influential than their actual number. Helping moderate and centrist voters have a stronger voice will make America a better country. We look forward to working with Senator Manchin on that urgent and noble cause.

“And finally, Democrats of all ideological stripes owe Senator Manchin their thanks and appreciation. No Democrat in Washington represents a state so red. No Democrat in Washington has had to take more difficult votes. No Democrat in Washington has had a tougher job explaining the benefits of the Biden agenda to a skeptical constituency. But he did it. Every legislative success of the past three years had Joe Manchin’s fingerprints on it. And no part of the Biden agenda could have moved forward were it not for Joe Manchin.

“We salute Senator Joe Manchin for his decision today and look forward to his continued contribution to the United States.”