In a recent interview on WABC 770 AM’s “The Cats Roundtable” talk show, Senator Joe Manchin expressed his belief that the United States was “not designed” for the level of division currently seen within the country. Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, argued that the extreme positions taken by political parties in Washington, D.C., have left many “common-sense” Americans without a political home.

According to Manchin, the political parties in Washington, D.C., are the root cause of the division in the country. He believes that they have become so extreme in their ideologies that they no longer represent the average American citizen. In his interview with host John Catsimatidis, Manchin stated, “The political parties have become so extreme — going to the extreme left and extreme right — that the average common-sense people don’t have a home. They’ve been left politically homeless.”

Manchin’s criticism of the political parties is not unfounded. He argues that the parties prioritize their own interests and profitability rather than uniting the American people. He stated, “It’s basically the political parties in Washington with their business model that they get better returns and their business does much better when you’re fighting and dividing each other versus uniting each other.”

Manchin’s dissatisfaction with the current political landscape has led him to consider a potential third-party run for the presidency in 2024. During his appearance at a No Labels forum in New Hampshire, a political group advocating for a third-party candidate, Manchin expressed his openness to the idea. He emphasized that the purpose of such a group is “to make sure the American people have an option.”

While some Democrats have raised concerns about a third-party run from Manchin, fearing it could split votes and harm their preferred candidate’s chances of winning, Manchin remains committed to his goal of offering an alternative choice to the American people. He believes that the extreme left and right should not be the only options available and that there needs to be a middle ground that can bridge the political divide.

Manchin firmly believes that the United States was “not designed to be this divided.” He argues that the American people themselves are not divided, but rather it is the political parties in Washington that perpetuate division for their own benefit. He stated, “The people of America aren’t divided. The people in New York aren’t divided, or in West Virginia. It’s basically the political parties in Washington with their business model that they get better returns and their business does much better when you’re fighting and dividing each other versus uniting each other.”

As a former governor of West Virginia, Manchin has always positioned himself as a centrist, comfortable in the middle ground between the extreme left and right. He believes that offering another choice, beyond the two dominant parties, would force those parties to realize that they may not always be in the majority. Manchin’s desire to unite the American people and bridge the political divide is a central theme in his political career.

Manchin’s potential third-party run for the presidency in 2024 could have significant implications for the election. While he has not officially announced his plans for re-election to the Senate, his consideration of a third-party bid has already garnered attention. West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, a Republican, has already launched his campaign for Manchin’s Senate seat, highlighting the potential for a competitive race.

The impact of a third-party run from Manchin is a subject of debate among Democrats. Some fear that it could pull votes away from Joe Biden, potentially benefiting the Republican frontrunner, President Trump. However, others argue that a third-party candidate could provide an alternative for voters who feel politically homeless and dissatisfied with the mainstream options.

Senator Joe Manchin’s belief that the United States was “not designed to be this divided” reflects his frustration with the extreme positions taken by political parties in Washington, D.C. He argues that these parties prioritize their own interests and profitability over uniting the American people. In response, Manchin has expressed openness to a potential third-party run for the presidency in 2024, aiming to offer an alternative choice for voters who feel politically homeless.