Rumors have been swirling for some time now that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) will throw his hat in the ring and run for president. 

While on NBC's "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker, Manchin told her that he's inching closer to doing just that. 

I will do anything I can to help my country, and you're saying, 'Does that mean you would consider it?' Absolutely. Every American should consider it if they're in a position to help save the country.

Now, he is giving a name as to who we would ask to be his vice president. 

Hypothetically, if I was picking my running mate, really who I would ask right now is Mitt Romney.

The senator from West Virginia added that he would also consider former Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) as his running mate. 

“Really, who I would ask right now is Mitt Romney. Maybe Rob Portman.”

— Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), when asked who he would “hypothetically” choose as a running mate if he ran in the 2024 presidential election on an independent ticket pic.twitter.com/wiXHZe2M5N

— The Recount (@therecount) February 15, 2024

Manchin criticized Biden at a breakfast event on Thursday morning and reportedly met with Albert Ratner, a real estate developer and powerbroker in Ohio.

First of all, if you want to blame Joe Biden, he's totally guilty as charged opening up the border and making it what we have today. And I've told him I've been disagreeing with him from day one. 

NOW: Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) did a full interview and answered questions at the City Club of Cleveland, Ohio. He talked about Joe Biden, immigration, the Second Amendment, the NFL, and a variety of other topics. pic.twitter.com/P0FSguHCJz

— Craig R. Brittain (@RealBrittain) February 15, 2024

But what is Manchin's path here? He has tried to make his case to the moderate voters; however, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also running for president and is on his way to making it on the ballot in all 50 states, which is not easy to do as an Independent candidate — that bid will cost about $15 million, while the Democrat and Republican candidates get on all 50 state ballots for free.

Manchin's goal seems to be putting together a bi-partisan ticket that could "unite" the country. If Manchin is on the campaign trail criticizing Biden, with Romney criticizing former President Trump, his mindset might be undermining both major party candidates in the upcoming general election. 

If there is one thing the 2024 GOP primary has shown us, it is that the Republican Party wants to give Trump another shot at the White House and wants to see him finish what he started during his first term. 

If Manchin's goal is to heal the divide, RFK Jr. would be the one who appeals to some Democrats as well as some in the Republican Party — much more than Manchin or Romney would.

Per a recent national poll, Trump benefits the most from a Manchin run. If that poll rings true, Democrats will pull every stop to prevent Manchin from running for president. 

🇺🇲 NATIONAL POLL: TIPP

Trump: 43% (+2)
Biden: 41%
.
Trump: 40% (+6)
Biden: 34%
RFK Jr: 8%
Manchin: 3%
West: 2%
Stein: 1%
Mapstead: 1%
—
GOP Primary
Trump: 74% (+57)
Haley: 17%
—
1,266 RV | 586 GOP RV | 1/31-2/2https://t.co/y3O9jO1fjQ

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) February 7, 2024