Editor’s Note: Joe Lieberman, an independent, is a former US Senator who served Connecticut from 1989 to 2013. He was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2000 presidential election. The opinions expressed in this commentary belong to him alone. Explore more perspectives on UJ.
UJ
—
During Ralph Nader’s 2000 presidential campaign, he articulated a straightforward rationale that would ultimately “spoil” the election for the Democratic ticket I had the honor of joining with Al Gore. Nader argued that the two parties were indistinguishable in their ideologies.
This assertion was unfounded. There were clear policy distinctions between the victorious George W. Bush-Dick Cheney ticket — partially aided by Nader — and ours. Nader’s agenda wasn’t truly about the “two-party duopoly,” as he labeled it; it was about pressuring Gore and the Democratic Party to shift leftward.
Nowadays, it is unreasonable to suggest that the two parties lack ideological differences. The fundamental issue in Washington, DC, is their pronounced divide, which hampers effective governance.
While many Americans yearn for a time when Republicans and Democrats collaborated on significant challenges, numerous lawmakers refuse to join forces on crucial national issues such as immigration reform and the debt ceiling, despite bipartisanship being essential for our shared prosperity and security. Currently, with Republicans leading the House and Democrats holding the Senate, bipartisanship is the sole avenue to advance any legislation.
Although mending the rifts in our political landscape is challenging, one step forward involves providing voters with a genuine alternative in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Typically, when Americans vote for president and vice president, they encounter only two viable options: the Democratic Party’s nominee and the Republican Party’s nominee. But what if they could choose from a third viable alternative?
The procedure for introducing this third viable option is not only complex and demanding but also differs across states and the District of Columbia.
Presently, No Labels, a nonprofit group I co-chair, is establishing the groundwork for such a campaign in 2024. Since early 2022, our team has been actively seeking ballot access for a potential No Labels ticket, generally by gathering a required number of signatures from voters in each state.
If successful, a unity ticket — featuring one Democrat and one Republican — could be offered to voters alongside the Republican and Democratic nominees.
We view this as a safety net for the nation — an option to be utilized only if both major party candidates fail to present voters with desirable choices or solutions to escape the intense partisanship dominating our capital. We will continually assess the views of Americans through our research and polling, along with public data, to inform this decision.
In multiple aspects, No Labels’ initiative significantly contrasts with the “spoiler” campaign Nader pursued two decades ago.
To begin with, if No Labels were to affiliate its ballot lines with a presidential ticket, the candidate would be a Democrat with a Republican vice presidential candidate, or vice versa. Such a combination would attract voters who might otherwise favor the Democratic ticket as well as those leaning towards the Republican option. It would also resonate with voters who are disenchanted with both parties.
These nominees would be appointed by a diverse and prestigious committee of citizens, with selections ratified by delegates at the No Labels National Convention set for April 2024. This convention will take place roughly six weeks after the March 5th “Super Tuesday” primaries, a pivotal day that often clarifies the major party nominees.
Secondly, the No Labels 2024 initiative is not intended to nudge Democratic nominees further left or Republican candidates to the right. Instead, its purpose is to compel one or both parties to cater to America’s expanding commonsense majority. If they fail to do so, our ballot line could provide the opportunity for a unity ticket that will.
According to recent UJ polling, the proportion of individuals identifying as independent is increasing, now accounting for 41% of the electorate — in contrast to just 28% identifying as Democrats and 31% as Republicans. These figures suggest a possible route to success for an independent ticket in 2024.
However, if no viable path appears in the coming months, No Labels will withdraw and concentrate on the work we have accomplished over the last decade to elect and organize members of Congress who have shown the fortitude to bridge partisan divides, particularly among members of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus.
Subscribe to Our Free Weekly Newsletter
It appears the Biden administration may be beginning to acknowledge the necessity of appealing to the commonsense majority. Recently, President Joe Biden enacted a Republican-backed measure that overturned a Washington, DC, crime bill reducing penalties for violent offenses and unveiled stricter border control policies.
We hope that the Republicans vying for their party’s nomination will similarly recognize the importance of engaging beyond their traditional base, rather than resorting to polarizing policies and rhetoric.
Ultimately, No Labels aspires not to have to present our ballot line to an independent unity ticket. We wish for the parties to regain their senses. However, the furious and alarmist responses from strategists in both parties regarding the potential impact of No Labels’ insurance policy indicate that party leaders are aware of the political consequences of disregarding the commonsense majority. This realization provides hope for a brighter future for our government and our nation.
