With the mid-March deadline for finalizing plans for a third party presidential ticket looming, No Labels is yet to secure a candidate or a clear strategy. The group is reportedly planning to target President Joe Biden with accusations that its own officials admit are more potent than accurate. However, potential major recruits, including former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, are still holding out.
Unclear Strategy and Skepticism
No Labels officials have not provided a set date or explanation for their decision-making process, leaving prospective candidates and members skeptical about the feasibility of a successful campaign. The group has been urging potential candidates to accuse Biden of holding politically toxic positions that he does not actually hold, with plans to spread these accusations more widely ahead of Biden’s annual State of the Union to Congress.
False Claims Against Biden
In a private presentation circulated among members and prospective candidates, No Labels officials have made two false claims against Biden: that he supports “open borders” and that he is influenced by a “far left” faction that “wants to abandon Israel” and is “sympathetic to Hamas.” Despite acknowledging the inaccuracy of these claims, the group believes they could damage Biden’s reputation.
Contrasting Positions
The presentation also contrasts the positions of the “far left” with those of the “far right,” which it claims “wants to abandon Ukraine” and is “sympathetic to Vladimir Putin.” No Labels argues that domestic divisions are strengthening adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran abroad.
Pushback Against No Labels
The No Labels effort has faced pushback from Biden-supporting Democrats. In response, left-leaning groups including MoveOn, the American Federation of Teachers, the Service Employees International Union, and the liberal group Way to Lead, are launching a new website and ad campaign to undercut No Labels.
Uncertainty Remains
Despite the looming deadline, No Labels’ decision-making process remains unclear. The group plans to hold a virtual convention on March 8, where 800 delegates will vote on whether to proceed with fielding a ticket. However, the process for choosing candidates and the timeline for this process remain uncertain.
Prospective Candidates
No Labels officials have continued reaching out to several prospective candidates, including former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. However, top prospects like West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan have distanced themselves from the effort.