For the past few years, the group No Labels has been raising money based on the idea that Americans don't want to see a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. What is the solution? 2,024 voters will be presented with an alternative, independent “unified ticket”. But almost three years later, the organization has failed spectacularly.
On Thursday, the company said in a statement: “No Labels has always said it will only offer a ballot line to a ticket if it can identify a candidate with a credible path to winning the White House. No one showed up, so a responsible course of action will be taken.” What we do is we step back. ”
The idea of a “unification” ticket always sounds like a good one in theory. So why did this extremely well-funded organization collapse and burn?
The idea of a “unification” ticket always sounds like a good one in theory. So why did this extremely well-funded organization collapse and burn?
Although polls reflect general dissatisfaction with both candidates, No Labels was unable to find a promised “gladiator” candidate to lead the so-called movement. For nearly a year, West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, an ostensible centrist contrarian, appeared to be the likely candidate, but he passed in February. A few weeks later, Manchin even suggested that “No Labels” could be a spoiler and ultimately lead to Trump's election.
Manchin wasn't the only one receiving passes. The New York Times reported in March that a number of celebrities had similarly turned down No Label. The list also includes former Republican governors Nikki Haley, Larry Hogan, Jon Huntsman, Bill Haslam and, most recently, Chris Christie, according to the Times. Retired Admiral William H. McRaven and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Representative Will Hurd of Texas was also reportedly approached.
Some of these names, like Haley in particular, have stated their reasons for pursuing a no-label bid. The former Republican candidate said he refused to pursue a bipartisan ticket (though No Labels notes there are options available independent of the Republican Party). But it seems unlikely that any of the aforementioned politicians would want to include their role in Trump's re-election in the first line of their political obituaries.
Christy summed it up He did pretty well when he withdrew from the Republican primary at the end of March and announced he would not run as an independent this year. “I believe this needs to be discussed with the American people, but if there is no path to victory and in some way my candidacy will help Donald Trump become president again, I believe that “That is not the way forward,” he wrote.
Aside from this particular political trappings, No Labels' lack of transparency could also likely undermine its efforts. Money didn't seem to be an issue, and the organization's leaders seemed confident they could secure nationwide voting access, but they still refused to disclose their donors.
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In fact, opacity was a selling point. His FAQ section on the No Labels website warns that “we never publish the names of our supporters because it is essential to protect their privacy.” This policy protected big donors from both sides of the aisle, perhaps making them feel safe opening their wallets.
It is completely unrealistic to think that experienced politicians would accept access to their ballots from organizations they do not know who they support.
However, in my opinion, it is completely unrealistic to think that an experienced politician would accept access to the ballot from an organization without knowing exactly who supports that organization. Additionally, as of April 1, No Labels was eligible to appear on the ballot in only her 19 states.
Although it would be expensive to get on the ballot in all 50 states, that goal would have been achievable for groups who believed their PAC could raise $300 million for the general election. What you can't buy is exercise. Despite the hype, No Labels failed to garner a huge following from any group or demographic. There was no message, no leader. Those who publicly supported it were more established than heretical.
Movements need energy, recruitment, new ideas, and above all, purpose. After all, No Labels didn't really represent anything. Defining yourself as neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump is the same as defining yourself as nobody. And, as the saying goes, you can't win something with nothing. That's all for No Labels.
