I’m writing to you from my home in South Carolina, where the tension in the air about the upcoming election is as thick as the humidity in late July. Even the usual college gameday buzz at Williams-Brice Stadium feels different – a little more serious, a little more anxious. Whether you lean left, right, or middle, folks are on edge, wondering what will happen after Election Day.
It's not just here—Politico ran a story this week about how nervous Washingtonians are making plans to get out of D.C. ahead of Election Day.
There’s good reason for this widespread unease. A new poll from YouGov found that 27 percent of Americans think our country is headed for a civil war. I hope – and believe – it will never get that bad. We are still Americans, and our country has overcome divisions much worse than those we face today.
However, getting through the hard times required courageous leadership – and right now, there’s an unsettling quiet from many of our top leaders. While some, like South Carolina’s own Rep. Jim Clyburn, have made clear they’ll vote to certify the winner of the election no matter who wins, others are playing coy with what they’ll do after the election.
That’s not good enough. Not after what happened after the 2020 election and on January 6. Not after a 2024 campaign that has had each side making apocalyptic predictions of America’s demise if they lose.
Right now, America needs voices from both sides, calling for calm, respecting the process, and encouraging us to keep it civil. This election will be messy. After election day, there could be legal challenges, protests and uncertainty about the outcome.
That’s fine. What isn’t fine is anyone interrupting the peaceful transfer of power or resorting to violence against people, property and public spaces. We need leaders with the courage to stand up and tell anyone who is crossing the line to stand down and let the democratic process work.
No Labels will be watching closely to see who steps up and who doesn’t. Post-election chaos isn’t good for anyone except our adversaries like Russia, China and Iran who want nothing more than to see Americans turning on one another. That just makes it easier for them to weaken America.
The next couple of months will show us who the real leaders are in this country. They’ll be the ones standing up and saying what needs to be said when things get tense. You can be sure that No Labels will be standing right alongside them.
It’s an uneasy time for the country, but I know No Labels and the American people, are up to the challenge. Let’s look for the voices that unite us and remind us of our shared values. We’ve come through tough times before, and I know we will again.
With resolve,
Margaret White
No Labels
Here are 3 takeaways from our No Labels Talks episode with General Joseph Votel:
The U.S. and Israel have diverging strategic goals in the Middle East, with the U.S. focused on preventing regional escalation and pursuing ceasefires, while Israel prioritizes the elimination of Hamas.
Iran’s network of proxies continues to destabilize the region, and military action alone is insufficient. A comprehensive approach—including diplomatic and economic efforts—is necessary to counter Iran's influence.
While ISIS has lost its territorial control, remnants of the group still pose a threat in Iraq and Syria. Overcrowded detention camps and radicalization within these populations remain ongoing challenges.
By Sam Zickar There are less than two weeks until Election Day, and both campaigns are zeroing in on seven key states where the White House will be won: Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
By Peyton Lofton The Joe Rogan Experience is easily the biggest podcast in the world, with over 17 million subscribers on YouTube alone. But the lights will be even brighter this week, as Donald Trump is reportedly set to appear on the show this Friday. Kamala Harris is also reportedly interested in appearing on Rogan, capping off what has been a historic election year for podcasts.
By Dan Quayle As is often the case in U.S. presidential elections, both candidates are treating foreign policy as a side issue in this campaign. That’s a disservice to the American people. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump aren’t running for economist in chief or sociologist in chief but commander in chief. While Congress spends most of its time on domestic policy, the president spends most of his or hers on foreign policy.
Wednesday, Oct 30 at 2:30 PM ET Join us for a No Labels Talks to hear from Admiral William McRaven. McRaven is a former commander of the United States Special Operations Command and leader of the Navy SEALs raid that took down Osama Bin Laden. He will offer his perspective on the evolving challenges facing the military as it works to safeguarding American interests, and how maintaining our military alliances with key allies is more important than ever.
In this week’s episode of No Labels Talks, host Ryan Clancy spoke with General Joseph Votel, former commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), about the most pressing global security issues. General Votel, drawing on decades of military experience, discussed current U.S. military operations in the Middle East, the evolving threat landscape, and the need for a more sustainable defense strategy. This is an episode you do not want to miss.
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