Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent of West Virginia, urges Biden to withdraw from race

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, urged President Joe Biden on Sunday to drop his reelection bid and focus on the remaining months of his presidency.

“I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation,” the West Virginia lawmaker told CNN's ”State of the Union."

Nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress have said it's time for Biden to leave the race. Four Democratic senators — Peter Welch of Vermont, Jon Tester of Montana, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sherrod Brown of Ohio — have said the Democratic president should abandon his reelection campaign against Republican Donald Trump.

Biden's debate performance raised open questions about the 81-year-old's ability to mount a convincing campaign to defeat Trump.

“I’m concerned about the president’s health and well-being I really am,” Manchin said on ABC's “This Week.”

He also said, “I truly believe the Democratic Party needs an open process” in picking a nominee to replace Biden.

Manchin, who became an independent in May after years as a Democrat, is not seeking reelection to the Senate.