In a stunning turn of events, a prominent former Democratic leader has emerged as a vocal opponent of a possible third-party run that could jeopardize President Biden’s chances of reelection. Dick Gephardt, the former House Democratic leader, is spearheading a new bipartisan group that seeks to counter the efforts of No Labels, a centrist organization advocating for a “unity” presidential candidate in 2024 with a hefty $70 million backing.
According to private polling obtained by Gephardt’s group, a moderate third-party candidate would pose a greater threat to President Biden’s support than former President Trump in a hypothetical three-way race. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with experts predicting that a third-party candidate could significantly impact the outcome of the election, potentially leading to a victory for Donald Trump.
Greg Schneiders, who assisted in conducting the polling, minced no words when he equated No Labels with Trump. He asserted that the group’s agenda would undeniably affect the race, but in a negative manner for President Biden. The potential entry of a moderate candidate could tip the scales against the current administration, potentially derailing their efforts to move the country forward.
Joining Gephardt in this bipartisan endeavor are notable figures such as former Senator Doug Jones and Stuart Stevens, who has an impressive track record of working on presidential campaigns for prominent Republicans like Bob Dole, George W. Bush, and Mitt Romney. With such an experienced and diverse team, this group is poised to make a significant impact on the political landscape.
As the details of this new group emerge, No Labels continues to push for a moderate, third-party candidate. Speculations are rife that they are eyeing Senator Joe Manchin and former Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as potential candidates. Although No Labels maintains that they will not directly fund the candidate, they have been actively raising outside funds to bolster support and pave the way for a third-party candidate to gain access to state ballots.
It is worth noting that No Labels was founded by the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress, with former Senator Joseph Lieberman, known for running in Connecticut as both a Democrat and Independent, serving as a founding chairman. However, the organization has faced criticism from within its own ranks, as some Democratic members of the caucus have expressed opposition to its pursuit of a third-party candidate in 2024.
Representative Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from Virginia, did not mince words when she condemned No Labels, labeling their efforts as a wasteful endeavor that only serves to confuse and divide voters. She further emphasized that the ultimate outcome of their actions would be the re-election of Donald Trump as president.
As the debate surrounding the potential harms of a well-funded third-party presidential run intensifies, the Center-left advocacy group Third Way and the liberal group MoveOn have announced plans to meet with Democratic senators’ chiefs of staff. These discussions, scheduled for July 27, will delve into the potential consequences and implications of a third-party candidate on the upcoming election.
The political landscape is heating up as the battle lines are drawn. Will this new bipartisan group be successful in preventing a third-party run that could jeopardize President Biden’s chances of re-election?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the upcoming election promises to be an exciting and pivotal moment for the future of our nation. Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds.
Source Fox News
