Arnold Schwarzenegger: Joe Manchin Would Be a Better Presidential Candidate Than Trump or Biden
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger believes that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has the potential to be a more effective presidential candidate than both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Schwarzenegger expressed his opinion on the 2024 White House race. He emphasized that candidates other than Biden and Trump deserve more opportunities to succeed.
“I don’t think we give those people enough chance because it’s all Trump, Trump, Trump, Biden, Biden, Biden. So, I mean, so these are the things that the press talks about,” Schwarzenegger stated.
When asked about standout candidates, Schwarzenegger singled out Joe Manchin, describing him as ”a great force.”
“Joe Manchin is one of them that I think stands out because he is kind of like a center guy. He comes from an energy state, but he’s a Democrat. So he knows the challenges and all that. But he’s one of the guys that I think is really a great force,” Schwarzenegger expressed.
“But there’s many others,” he added, without mentioning specific names. “In general, without endorsing anybody, I think we have to give people a chance to emerge.
“The political system is set up in such a way right now that Trump is kind of like taking the air out of everything, you know, and Biden is doing it on the other side. And so it kind of like comes down to both of them running really for president.”
While Manchin has not confirmed whether he will run for reelection in 2024, he has expressed openness to a presidential bid. Schwarzenegger himself expressed his desire to run for president if he were eligible.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, questions Interior Secretary Deb Haaland during a hearing in Washington on May 2, 2023. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
According to recent reports, Manchin has been seriously considering a third-party bid for president. He believes he has the ability to bring people together and address issues without demonizing the other side.
Furthermore, Manchin has expressed concerns about the current two-party system, warning that it could lead to the downfall of the country unless changes are made.
Similar to Manchin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also announced his decision to run for president as an independent instead of a Democrat.
The Democratic field for the 2024 presidential race currently includes President Biden, Marianne Williamson, and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.). However, Biden’s approval rating remains low.
According to the latest Gallup poll, Biden’s overall approval rating dropped to 37 percent in October, matching his personal low. His approval rating among Democrats also decreased by 11 percentage points from the previous month.
The Gallup poll surveyed 1,009 adults from Oct. 2 to Oct. 23.
Meanwhile, former President Trump maintains a significant lead in FiveThirtyEight’s GOP presidential primary poll average, with 56.9 percent support nationally.
Why does Schwarzenegger believe it is important to give new faces and ideas an opportunity to emerge as viable candidates in the current political landscape dominated by Trump and Biden
As the main focus,” Schwarzenegger explained.
Schwarzenegger’s comments come as speculation and discussion surrounding the 2024 presidential race begins to grow. The former governor of California believes that the constant attention on figures like Donald Trump and Joe Biden leaves little room for other candidates to gain visibility and consideration.
In his assessment, Schwarzenegger highlights Joe Manchin as a potential standout candidate. Manchin, a Democratic senator from West Virginia, is described as a “center guy” who understands the challenges of his energy-state background while embracing his Democratic affiliation. Schwarzenegger sees him as a “great force” in the political landscape.
However, Schwarzenegger does not limit his endorsement to just Manchin. He believes that there are many others who deserve a chance to emerge as viable candidates. The current political system, dominated by Trump and Biden, leaves little space for new faces and ideas to come forward. Schwarzenegger suggests that it is important to give these individuals an opportunity to showcase their potential.
The former governor acknowledges that Trump’s presence in politics has consumed much of the public and media attention, overshadowing other candidates. Similarly, Biden’s presidency has also captured significant focus. Schwarzenegger suggests that this dynamic prevents the exploration and evaluation of alternative options.
While Schwarzenegger does not mention specific names, his endorsement of Manchin and his call to give others a chance is emblematic of a broader desire for a more diverse and inclusive political landscape. By prioritizing the exploration of new candidates, Schwarzenegger hopes to break away from the dominance of established figures and inject fresh perspectives into the presidential race.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it will be interesting to see
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