What’s Happening:

Once upon a time, Arnold Schwarzenegger made waves by entering the political arena. He ran as a Republican and successfully won the California governorship. Since that time, he has stayed out of politics.

But the outspoken actor and celebrity has never shied away from sharing his opinions. Despite being members of the same party, Schwarzenegger was never a Trump fan.

Now that the presidential election is around the corner, he is commenting on the potential race. And he is calling out a “great force” nobody was expecting.

From Washington Examiner:
Former Republican California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) Sunday as a presidential contender in 2024.

“He comes from an energy state, but he’s a Democrat. So he knows the challenges. … I think [he’s] really a great force,” he said on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Schwarzenegger stunned America when he spoke fondly of Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin. He called the moderate a “great force” and suggested he could be a good contender for president in 2024.

The former governor declined to endorse anyone officially. He mentioned that people need a “chance to emerge.” He criticized Donald Trump and Joe Biden for “taking the air” out of the democratic process.

Both Trump and Biden are leading in their party’s nominations. Democrats had refused to acknowledge other candidates running, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump has refused to participate in the GOP debates, believing he’s already won.

Sen. Manchin, however, has been floated as a possible third-party candidate. He has flirted with the No Labels party, which is looking for an alternative to Biden and Trump. But Manchin has not announced a campaign yet.

Some have speculated that Manchin will not be able to win re-election as a West Virginia senator. But reports swirl that he is considering three options for the future. Running as an independent, running for president, or retiring.

Schwarzenegger’s mentioning Manchin could push him in one direction. But what Manchin decides has yet to be official.

Key Takeaways:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested Sen. Joe Manchin should run for president.
• The former governor claimed Manchin was a “great force.”
• Manchin has considered running for president, perhaps as a third-party candidate.

Source: Washington Examiner