Former Sen. Joe Lieberman poses for a portrait in Beijing, Oct. 15, 2023.
Gilles Sabrié| The Washington Post | Getty Images
No Labels founder Joe Lieberman is open to scrapping his bipartisan, third-party presidential ticket if the nonprofit political group can’t nail down the proper candidates throughout the subsequent few months.
No Labels has up to now secured poll entry in 12 states for its potential “Unity Ticket,” which might characteristic a Democrat and a Republican to attempt to heal partisan fractures in Washington.
“We’ll solely do that if it is constructive and we are able to make an actual distinction in our authorities and our politics,” Lieberman mentioned Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “And secondly, if we are able to get top-tier candidates.”
If not, the group would drop the hassle, he mentioned.
“We’re going to must make a troublesome judgment in a few months,” the previous U.S. senator from Connecticut added.
No Labels is within the early phases of formalizing its candidate exploration committee, which is able to goal to appoint candidates in March or April if the group decides to undergo with the Unity Ticket.
Names equivalent to Sen. Joe Manchin and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan have been floated as choices for the ticket. Eyes have been significantly centered on Manchin resulting from his announcement that he would not run for his Senate seat once more and his separate feedback about contemplating a run for president.
But No Labels has but to formally nominate candidates, partly as a result of the potential candidates it has contacted did not instantly signal on.
“Individually, we’re starting to succeed in out to individuals who we predict could be nice candidates and ask them if they’re , and proper now no person is saying ‘No,’ however no person is saying ‘Yes, I’m able to declare,'” Lieberman mentioned.
Despite the anomaly of the Unity Ticket, No Labels has been selecting up steam with a base of rich donors, doubling its revenue final yr over 2021. Its nonprofit standing means it’s not required to reveal its donors and there’s no contribution restrict. It additionally implies that No Labels can’t straight contribute to a political marketing campaign.
“Just let me guarantee everyone that each one we are able to do at No Labels is qualify for the poll,” Lieberman mentioned.
The group’s related Super PAC can contribute to campaigns.
No Labels has confronted warmth from Democrats for its third-party ticket experiment, which could derail President Joe Biden’s reelection marketing campaign with out assurance that the Unity Ticket could additionally beat Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
Lieberman tried to assuage these fears in an October op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. He mentioned polling reveals {that a} No Labels ticket would draw voters equally from each events.