Joe Manchin Says He ‘Not Going to be a Candidate for President’

Senator Joseph Manchin, independent of West Virginia, said on Monday that he would not launch his own presidential bid, a rapid shift in tone after a TV appearance earlier in the morning in which he appeared to be flirting with pursuit of the Democratic nomination.

“I am not going to be a candidate for president,” he said on “CBS Mornings,” ruling out a bid. “I am a candidate for basically speaking for the middle of this country.”

A short time earlier, Mr. Manchin had told CNN he was “pursuing a process” to vet the next nominee and ensure Democrats can capture the political center. He said he had not given serious thought to whether he would re-register as a Democrat to run for the party’s nomination.

Mr. Manchin left the Democratic Party in May because he said it had moved too far to the left, and last year publicly considered seeking an independent presidential run. As the party has largely rushed to coalesce behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the next Democratic nominee, Mr. Manchin has held back.

In appearances on Monday morning news shows, Mr. Manchin suggested that the party’s next nominee should not be crowned. He also contended that the person should run on the issues, including tackling the border and improving education, rather than just demonizations of former President Donald J. Trump, the Republican candidate. He deflected on whether Ms. Harris was the best person to do so, saying he had not worked with her before.

“Well, I want to see what her platform is and her positions,” Mr. Manchin said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” when asked whether he would endorse Ms. Harris. “I want to see where she lands up on that, which I think is rational.”

Asked if he would consider serving as Ms. Harris’ running mate, he answered