Manchin: Kamala Harris brought ‘vibrant energy’ to 2024 campaign

After Biden withdrew as the Democratic presidential nominee last month, Manchin briefly opened the door to a potential campaign.

But Vice President Kamala Harris quickly secured the support of Democratic leaders, and Manchin dropped the campaign idea.

Within days, Harris’ political stock rose and her campaign boasted a surge in enthusiasm and millions of dollars in donations.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Manchin praised his former Senate colleague.

“I was surprised. She did some good things,” Manchin said of Harris’ initial moves as the presumptive Democratic nominee.

“She and I sat on the Intelligence Committee for a year together, right next to each other. So we were very close, we worked well together,” he continued. “She’s very bright, very smart.”

Manchin said Harris — who had a distinctly liberal legislative record when he served in the Senate — energized the campaign.

“What he was able to do in three weeks was amazing. I think he brought a lively energy to this campaign,” he said. “(She) has people angry.”

Manchin also complimented Harris’ shift on fracking. As a 2020 presidential candidate, Harris advocated banning the oil and gas drilling technique. But her campaign said late last month that it would not support a fracking ban.

“(N)ow, facing this leadership as one of the most powerful people in the world, she’s looking at where we are on energy, and I’m happy for that,” Manchin said.

The senator, who has served in the upper chamber since 2010, declined to run for re-election in November.