Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is adamant that he does not want to talk about the 2022 or 2024 elections.
While Manchin appears to have given Democrats a shot in the arm of renewed energy and optimism, he has avoided talking about the upcoming elections.
MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell asked the West Virginia senator on Tuesday, “Would you support Joe Biden if he’s on the ticket in 2024 as the Democratic president seeking reelection?”
“Let me make it very, very clear, this is one of the most important pieces of legislation in my lifetime that we’ve ever done,” Manchin began.
He continued, “I’m not talking about the 2022 election and 2024. I have no control over those elections. And I’m not going to talk about them.”
Still, he voiced his appreciation that President Joe Biden approves of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Finally, Manchin added as he raised his voice and waved his hands, “Can’t we do something for our country without bringing politics into it? I’m not going to talk about it. I’m not going to talk about it. I’m not going to talk about it.”
Watch the video below:
Sen. Joe Manchin refuses to answer if he will back Democrats up for re-election in 2022 and Biden in 2024 if the president is at the top of the ticket.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 2, 2022
Manchin: "Can't we do something for our country without bringing politics into it? … I'm not going to talk about it!" pic.twitter.com/p3takuVUso
On Tuesday, Fox News’ Harris Faulkner also asked Manchin if he wants to see Biden run in 2024.
“I am not talking about 2022. I am not talking about 2024. I am talking about the American bill we have, the Inflation Reduction Act, which is a red, white, and blue bill,” Manchin responded.
Manchin is grilled over his support for Democrats, and whether he supports Biden in 2024:
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 2, 2022
"I am not talking about 2022, I am not talking about 2024. I am talking about the American bill we have, the Inflation Reduction Act which is a red, white, and blue bill." pic.twitter.com/7iujVVgP0p
The exchange comes after Manchin took heat for months after sinking Biden’s Build Back Better social spending package.
Last month, he shocked the political world when it was announced he had made a deal to support a new package that included provisions to address climate change and raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans.
And that deal comes amid reports that most Democrats do not want Biden to run again in 2024.
But Manchin has avoided addressing the topic.
“Everybody’s worried about the election. That’s the problem. It’s the 2022 election, 2024 election. I’m not getting involved in that,” Manchin told ABC on Sunday.
He added, “Whoever is the president, that’s my president. Joe Biden is my president right now.”