Now that No Labels has decided not to offer a unity ticket for president and vice president in 2024, where does it go from here? Stay tuned, it can still play a big role in our future.
Importantly, No Labels kept its promise not to run a unity ticket if there was not a clear path to victory in the Electoral College. Several factors led to this decision, including the independent candidacies of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornell West. These efforts changed the math equation for a victory in the Electoral College and are likely to increase the chance of a Trump victory in November. In addition, not enough top-quality candidates were willing to buck their party and pursue an independent candidacy.
While No Labels is not offering a unity ticket, it is important to re-enforce that a significant majority of the American people are not happy with a Biden/Trump rematch. In addition, voter opinions on the federal government, our current path, and our prospects are at or near an all-time low. Clearly the status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable in many respects.
The American people want, need, and deserve candidates who will lead and offer real solutions to the challenges facing our nation. They also want to hear where the candidates stand in connection with a range of key issues. This is particularly true in connection with the economy/inflation/fiscal responsibility, border security/immigration, rule of law/crime, foreign wars, Social Security, taxes, etc.
Given the above, No Labels should conduct a range of citizen education and engagement efforts in key swing states based on the most important issues in its Common Sense booklet on www.nolabels.org. It needs to promote current and prospective problem solvers-type candidates in the House and Senate, including former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland. It should also support efforts to enact the Defending Borders, Defending Democracy Act, the Fiscal Commission Act, and H.C.R. 24 which relates to a need for a fiscal responsibility amendment to the Constitution. Finally, it should also consider forming a new party that represents the "sensible center" majority of American voters. A party that can run candidates at all levels of government beginning in 2026.
The truth is, the Democrats and Republicans have been taken over by the extreme wings of their parties; the Democrats on the left, and the Republicans on the right. These ideological wings do not want to compromise to achieve progress on important issues. The close margins in both houses of Congress serve to exacerbate the current partisan and ideological polarization. As a result, we currently have a republic that is not representative of nor responsive to the general public. This is not acceptable nor is it consistent with the intent of our nation's founders.
Our country is at a critical crossroads. The status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable. It's time for truth, transparency, and transformation. No Labels can play an important role to help make this a reality and help create a better future for America and Americans. Hopefully it will. Stay tuned.
David M. Walker is the former U.S. Comptroller General, national co-founder, No Labels, and director, Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
No Labels Co-Founder: This Is The Path Forward Our Movement
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05.04.2024
Now that No Labels has decided not to offer a unity ticket for president and vice president in 2024, where does it go from here? Stay tuned, it can still play a big role in our future.
Importantly, No Labels kept its promise not to run a unity ticket if there was not a clear path to victory in the Electoral College. Several factors led to this decision, including the independent candidacies of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornell West. These efforts changed the math equation for a victory in the Electoral College and are likely to increase the chance of a Trump victory in November. In addition, not enough top-quality candidates were willing to buck their party and pursue an independent candidacy.
While No Labels is not offering a unity ticket, it is important to re-enforce that a significant majority of the American people are not happy with a Biden/Trump rematch. In addition, voter........
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