Uncertainty Looms for No Labels’ Unity Ticket as Top-Tier Candidates Remain Undecided

No Labels founder Joe Lieberman is considering abandoning the bipartisan, third-party presidential ticket initiative if the organization cannot secure the right candidates in the coming months. 

The nonprofit political group No Labels has achieved ballot access in 12 states for its potential “Unity Ticket,” designed to bring together a Democrat and a Republican to address partisan divisions in Washington.

Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Lieberman emphasized the importance of the initiative being constructive and impactful on government and politics. 

He stressed the necessity of recruiting top-tier candidates to move forward. If suitable candidates cannot be secured, Lieberman indicated that the group would reevaluate and potentially discontinue the initiative within the next few months.

No Labels is currently in the early stages of establishing its candidate exploration committee. It plans to nominate candidates in March or April if the decision is made to proceed with the Unity Ticket. 

While names like Sen. Joe Manchin and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan have been suggested as potential candidates, the group has yet to officially nominate individuals. Despite reaching out to potential candidates, no firm commitments have been made.

Despite its uncertainty, the Unity Ticket has garnered support from a growing base of wealthy donors, with No Labels doubling its revenue in the past year. 

The group’s nonprofit status allows it to qualify for the ballot, though it cannot directly contribute to political campaigns. The associated Super PAC, however, can contribute to campaigns.

No Labels’ third-party ticket experiment has faced criticism from Democrats concerned about its impact on President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. 

Lieberman addressed these concerns in an October op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, citing polling data indicating that a No Labels ticket would attract voters equally from both parties.

As No Labels navigates the complexities of securing candidates and maintaining donor support, the organization’s ultimate decision will have implications for the evolving political landscape and its attempt to bridge partisan divides.

Source: nationalreview.com