Yesterday, the No Labels community gathered for an important town hall discussion with two of our closest House allies, Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Mike Lawler (R-NY). They offered their thoughts on the upcoming presidential election and how the commonsense majority can become a more powerful force in American politics. 

Reps. Golden and Lawler fielded several insightful questions from our community. Here are some highlights: 

On the current toxic political moment: 

• "I think we've gotten to a place in our politics which has gotten so coarse, so corrosive that the hyperbole on both sides has been destructive to the debate and to actually addressing the problems facing the country." — Rep. Mike Lawler 

On the potential for a third party to represent the center: 

• “Anything is possible. I have entertained the idea that what we need is a third party, bringing together the best of the Democrats and Republicans into a centrist coalition. It would be hard work, but the window has been open in the last Congress and this one because the margins are so tight. It feels a little out of reach today, but I haven't given up hope that it could happen." — Rep. Jared Golden 

On the damage polarization is doing to our politics: 

• “I think we have to recognize that the destruction that is being done to our institutions, to our government, by everybody having a meltdown the moment their side doesn't win or they don't get their way, or there's a ruling that they don't like, and trying to undermine the institutions, is destructive to the country and destructive to the future.” — Rep. Mike Lawler 

You can view the entire conversation HERE. 

We know that many of you were unable to attend or to have your questions answered during the 45-minute town hall. But we want to ensure that your voice is heard as we build a strategy for our movement to play an important role this election season. 

We want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts here, and we will do our best to respond to you promptly.