Maybe-White House Candidate Joe Manchin Jokes About Presidential Age

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.,hinted again at a possible presidential race when he noted that the U.S. could benefit from having a president younger than President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

"With all due respect, the president is 81 years old. Donald Trump is 77," said Manchin, the Associated Press reported.

Then he smirked: "I truly believe the American people are ready to pass the torch to a new generation, somebody younger. I'd say maybe someone close to 76 that doesn't look a day over 70."

Manchin is 76.

The West Virginia senator tackled the presidential age issue at the Gridiron Club's annual winter dinner in Washington D.C. on Saturday.

He recently announced that he would not seek re-election to his Senate seat, sparking speculation that he could be a third-party candidate. He said last month that he will be traveling the nation to see if there is an "interest to mobilize the middle."

He addressed predictions about his future at the dinner.

"I’ve heard it all. You all heard it all," Manchin said. “Most of you probably told me. They say that my running would throw the election to Trump. Others say my running might help Biden. Hell, I’m trying to find out how it would help me."