Liberal media hosts and commentators are expressing concern and criticism over the possibility of a No Labels third-party ticket in the 2024 election.
They have labeled the effort as "disingenuous" and the "stupidest thing ever."
No Labels, a centrist group that is exploring the idea of launching a third-party "unity" ticket, recently announced that Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, would serve as an honorary co-host of the group's "Common Sense" town hall in New Hampshire.
Critics, including Democrats and members of the media, have voiced their opposition to the No Labels effort, citing concerns about the potential impact on President Biden's reelection. They argue that any third-party candidate would be a "spoiler" for Biden.
CNN political commentator David Axelrod called the No Labels effort "disingenuous" and expressed certainty that the group would support Trump and the Republicans. He wrote on Twitter, "It is as certain as anything in politics that No Labels will be spoilers & highly likely in favor of Trump & the Republicans."
MSNBC's Joy Reid took issue with a statement by Joe Lieberman, who suggested that Democrats should work on bringing their platform more to the center. Reid argued that Lieberman was being disingenuous and pointed out that even President Biden's bipartisan victories have earned him criticism from progressives within his own party.
Reid also highlighted that political operatives have been meeting to discuss how to counter the No Labels run. She claimed that the group's association with a potential third party has become so alarming that a top Democratic firm, which previously worked with No Labels, now refuses to discuss their collaboration.
MSNBC analyst David Corn criticized the group for having a "distinct Republican tilt" based on its donors. He argued that equating Joe Biden with Donald Trump is dishonest and raises suspicions, especially when the group hides the sources of its funding.
Politico's Heidi Przybyla and CNN's Dana Bash discussed the party's donors and suggested that Republican donors were trying to undermine Biden by donating to No Labels. Przybyla mentioned that many Democrats are skeptical and believe that GOP donors are behind the group's activities. She confirmed that one of their big donors in the past was Harlan Crow, known for his support of Clarence Thomas.
The hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" also discussed the No Labels effort and its potential impact. Host Joe Scarborough asked Newsweek Editor-at-Large Tom Rogers how devastating a Manchin run might be. Rogers responded that there is no evidence to suggest that a No Labels ticket would not be a spoiler for Biden or the Democrats. He pointed out that in the past 50 years, no independent candidate has won a single electoral vote.
Scarborough predicted that a third-party ticket like No Labels could siphon away independent votes from the Democratic candidate, as happened in 2016, potentially helping Trump win swing states and be reelected.
On "The View," co-host Ana Navarro strongly criticized the idea of a third-party run in 2024, calling it the "stupidest thing ever" due to Trump's candidacy. She specifically called out Joe Lieberman for his involvement with No Labels and pleaded with him to reconsider, emphasizing the threat that Trump poses to national security and democracy.
MSNBC's Michael Steele, hosting "Ayman," also addressed the No Labels effort and invited comedian Francesca Fiorentini to comment. Fiorentini described the group's efforts as "billionaire fragility at worst" and expressed concern that they believe Trump and Biden are the same. She sarcastically remarked that the group calls itself No Labels because "Oligarchs Gentlemen's Club" would have been too on the nose.
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