California Democrat Rep. Nancy Pelosi is sounding the alarm about the potential influence of a significant third-party movement, specifically targeting No Labels, on the 2024 presidential election.
Pelosi, speaking at a breakfast hosted by Democratic-centrist organization Third Way, criticized No Labels, claiming their advocacy translates to “no taxes for the rich” and opposes crucial measures like the child tax credit and the Affordable Care Act.
Conservative Brief reported on Thursday, November 16, 2023, that Pelosi’s discontent with No Labels intensified, revealing that despite previous disregard, she felt compelled to speak out against the organization as it could jeopardize President Joe Biden’s reelection.
No Labels, chaired by former Maryland governor Larry Hogan, refuted Pelosi’s claims, emphasizing that she was making baseless accusations for political gain and misrepresenting the organization’s objectives.
No Labels, a nonprofit seeking access to the national ballot, aims to form a unity ticket with bipartisan leadership. However, their lack of disclosure regarding specific candidates and their nonprofit status, exempt from donor disclosure, has raised concerns about potential dark money involvement.
Twelve states have already granted No Labels access to the ballot for the November 2024 election, prompting scrutiny from left-wing group MoveOn, which is questioning the organization’s dark money status.
The latest No Labels memo suggests a growing demand for an independent or third-party candidate, fueled partly by low favorability ratings for both former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. Pelosi disputed this premise, asserting that voter discontent would diminish once Biden actively engages in the campaign.
Third Way President Jonathan Cowan acknowledged early interest in third-party candidates as an expression of dissatisfaction but expressed skepticism about the sustainability of such interest as the general election campaign progresses.
Pelosi and Third Way share concerns that a moderately successful third-party candidate endorsed by No Labels could garner enough electoral college votes to prevent a major party nominee from securing the necessary majority.
The stakes are high, with fears that in such a scenario, congressional delegations, where Republicans hold more influence than Democrats, would determine the outcome of the election by voting for the president.
While the likelihood of a third-party candidate securing enough electoral college votes remains slim, the worry persists that No Labels could inadvertently tip the scales in favor of the Republican nominee if the decision is left to congressional delegations.
In response to these concerns, Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels, assured in a CNN interview that the organization was prepared for such scenarios but emphasized their commitment to presenting a ticket with a realistic chance of winning.
Pelosi’s apprehensions about No Labels stem from a history of tension, including the organization’s consideration of a primary challenge against her during the Trump administration.
Despite remaining silent about No Labels’ 2024 plans until recently, Pelosi has joined a growing chorus of criticism from various Democratic Party backgrounds, reflecting the heightened scrutiny surrounding the role of third-party movements in shaping the political landscape.
