How About A Third Party?
There’s not much Republicans and Democrats can agree on…except to fight tooth and nail to preserve their stranglehold on American politics via the two-party system. They’ve done everything they can, at the national and state levels, to make it virtually impossible for a third party to catch on—from favorable campaign contribution designations on income tax forms, to early ballot filing deadlines so a losing R or D primary candidate can’t then run as an independent.
They also tend to agree that on the presidential level, a third party candidate would be a “spoiler”…but whether that third party candidate spoils things for Republicans or Democrats remains to be seen.
Some noise again this week about West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. He’s a Democrat, but has not been shy about calling out his party. He’s up for re-election next year, but has not indicated his plans. He also said this month he’s not ruling anything in or ruling anything out.
No Labels sees itself as a centrist organization, and it’s already taking initial steps to set up a bipartisan, third-party “unity” ticket. They have so far declined to say who might fit the bill on that ticket, but obviously Manchin’s name is out there—especially since he’s doing nothing to quash such speculation, and is a honorary co-chair of the group with Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins.
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, himself a past vice-presidential candidate and co-founder of No Labels, has mentioned Manchin, Collins, and former Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan as names to watch for that third party ticket.
For their part, No Labels is working to get on the ballot in all 50 states to be ready if it does shape up to be a Trump-Biden 2020 rematch.
One No Labels leader said the goal is to provide a choice for Americans if the Rs and Ds don’t offer good enough choices. She said, “we call it an insurance policy” but added that if it looked like their effort would clear the path for one of the two major party candidates to win, they’d step aside—not really sure how they would know to do that.
Regardless, it does suggest one thing—a lot of dissatisfaction with both major parties. The question is whether that can be addressed from within…or from without.
