Manchin says he's not running for president but calls for competitive primary

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., who left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent, said on Monday that he won't challenge Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination but called for a competitive primary process to find the "strongest candidate" in the party.

"I am not going to be a candidate for president," Manchin said on CBS Mornings.

"I think a lot of people would like to see a mini primary," he added.

Manchin, who had called for President Biden to drop out of the race, argued that Harris is "absolutely" too far to the left.

"I would like to see that direction change," he said. "Neither side can win without the sensible, moderate middle."