John,
A few months ago, we talked to you about the rise of the dark-money political group, No Labels and its deceptive messaging. Well, they’re back in the news and it’s hardly ever for good reason. Check it out below: ⬇️
In recent months, the group has received attention for its “unity ticket” concept — running a moderate Democrat and Republican on the same ticket — that has garnered renewed interest with the recent announcement of Sen. Joe Manchin’s retirement from the Senate, coupled with Manchin’s aspirations for higher office.
John, mainstream media might be afraid to call out No Labels, but COURIER isn't. Whether it's standing up to Fox News or pulling back the curtain about No Labels, our work to expose misinformation and provide trustworthy reporting during the 2024 presidential campaign is more important than ever.
Here are three key facts explaining why No Labels is not a centrist party, why no third party can win the White House, and who's really behind these efforts.
First, the group's basic premise doesn't comport with reality. They claim that Trump and Biden represent equally extreme ends of the political spectrum, ignoring the fact that Trump openly sought the end of American democracy and is now promising his base "retribution" over the election he falsely claims was stolen. An equivalent extreme simply does not exist on the American left.
Second, the Electoral College makes a third-party victory virtually impossible. In 1912, 1992, 2000, and 2016, third-party candidates siphoned enough votes to tip the scales in favor of one of the major party candidates.
In 2024, Trump’s core base will support him no matter what — a third-party candidate would only serve to splinter traditionally conservative voters concerned with the state of our democracy away from President Biden.
Third, No Labels is financed by far-right donors. Although they've repeatedly refused to disclose their major donors, Politico, Mother Jones, and the Lincoln Project have reported that they include:
- Harlan Crow, the right-wing billionaire who has lavished Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with gifts and free vacations.
- Michael Smith, a fossil fuel billionaire who has backed a Mitch McConnell super PAC and Virginia’s Republican governor Glenn Youngkin.
- Allan Keen, a Florida real estate mogul and longtime Republican donor who spent at least $135,000 to reelect Trump in 2020.
These donors and others are spending huge sums to launder their talking points through a purportedly “centrist” organization. Still, a little digging reveals exactly what No Labels really is: just another cog in the right-wing disinformation machine.
COURIER was founded to call this kind of misinformation out and provide fact-based reporting to communities in battleground states across the country. And none of our work is locked behind a paywall — which means we count exclusively on donors like you to help us accomplish our mission.
Thank you!
COURIER