The national director of No Labels, the third-party group that recently announced it would not field a candidate in the US presidential election, has now decided to cast his vote for Joe Biden instead of Donald Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign referred to the participants of the January 6 riot as “activists” in an email.
“I, personally?” Joe Cunningham expressed to Fox News. “If given the choice, I would vote for Biden over Trump.”
Cunningham declined to provide further details on the matter. Additionally, he was presented with the option to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate known for his skepticism towards vaccines and conspiracy theories.
When questioned about the decision to abandon its mission, despite raising $60 million and gaining ballot access in crucial states, Cunningham explained that No Labels had been searching for a hero, but unfortunately, one never emerged.
“We have been completely transparent and honest with the American public about our intentions to present this ticket if two specific conditions were fulfilled. Firstly, we needed to ensure that Americans desired an alternative option, and that box has certainly been checked.”
Biden and Trump are both facing significant unpopularity among the public. Kennedy’s popularity, on the other hand, has remained steady in the double digits. Despite concerns that a candidate not aligned with any specific party could harm Biden’s chances, and the ongoing threats posed by Trump to US democracy, the No Labels group ultimately abandoned their search.
Cunningham explained that their second criterion was finding candidates who had a clear path to victory. However, they encountered difficulties in this aspect and were unable to identify candidates who met this requirement.
Several candidates were reportedly courted, including Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who had the longest opposition to Trump in the Republican primary. Larry Hogan, the former Maryland governor who is currently running for the US Senate, was also approached. Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor, who ran a Republican primary campaign explicitly against Trump, was another potential candidate. Additionally, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a former wrestler and Hollywood action star, was also considered.
Last week, No Labels faced a significant setback with the passing of its founding chair, Joe Lieberman. Lieberman, the former Democratic and independent senator, as well as vice-presidential nominee, passed away at the age of 82.
According to Cunningham, it is challenging to find leaders who are willing to prioritize the country’s interests over their respective party affiliations due to the lack of recognition and support for dissenting voices. He believes that the establishment does not reward such individuals, making it difficult for them to come forward and take a courageous stand.
Opponents of No Labels’ third-party initiative rejoiced at its retreat.
According to Matt Bennett, a member of the centre-left group Third Way, they were the first to caution against the doomed and divisive presidential bid of No Labels. Alongside a diverse group of allies, they actively campaigned to discourage any serious candidate from aligning with their ticket.
“We are extremely relieved that their offer was rejected by everyone, which forced them to back down. Although there is still a risk of third-party spoilers, this harmful attack on President Biden and Democrats from the center has finally come to an end.”
No Labels leaders announced on Friday that the group will remain active in election-year politics during a call with reporters and supporters.
According to Jay Nixon, a former Democratic governor of Missouri who is now directing the No Labels ballot access efforts, he stated, “We were successful in any litigation we had and twenty-one states were on track to complete the process.”
In addition, he emphasized the importance of pursuing dual objectives this year. He stressed the need for exerting maximum effort in the upcoming seven months to ensure that the leading presidential candidates focus on appealing to rational voters rather than solely addressing their respective party bases. According to him, this responsibility holds great significance.
In the present moment, it is crucial to address various issues that are of utmost importance. These issues include border security, spending, the cost of living, and supporting our allies abroad. This commonsense agenda forms the core of our priorities.
Supporting commonsense congressional candidates who can serve as a check on the executive branch is crucial. One notable candidate in this regard is former Maryland governor Larry Hogan, who is running for the Senate as a Republican. It’s important to remember that he is not alone in this endeavor.
Nixon and other leaders who spoke on Friday refrained from mentioning any plans for another presidential campaign in 2028.
According to the Wall Street Journal, another senior No Labels official, Andy Bursky, expressed that he remains open to different possibilities, stating: “I wouldn’t rule anything out. The organization has not been defeated by this endeavor; in fact, it has become stronger as a result.”
