Another quadrennial perennial, as certain as the 7 year locusts (which are actually cicadas, but anyway…). Every third year in the fall comes the cry “S third party spoiler is gonna crash the two-party election party!No Labels' spoiler bid has suddenly entered full meltdown mode. No serious candidates are interested. The group's public justifications are increasingly ludicrous. Time to pull the plug.
— Greg Sargent (@GregTSargent) February 23, 2024
We have lots of new reporting and info in this piece. 1/
Link:https://t.co/huQpANZIlH
It never happens because it’s damned hard (and expensive!) to get on the ballots in all 50. Ross Perot was a true billionaire with a fervent (but small, it turned out) support base, and he didn’t want to spend his money that way. He got in less than 25 ballots, IIRC.
You also need a very charismatic candidate. Perot was eccentric and Texan to his boots: good enough for highway work. Joe Manchin, on the other hand? Biden is kindly Grandpa, Trump is obnoxious and crazy uncle; Manchin is grumpy Grandpa who only devoted grandchildren could love; or vote for.
No Labels never amounted to a spoiler. It was never even a reality. It was just part of the quadrennial wish of political pundits and journalists that this year something different could happen! Like kids expecting that pony will finally show up under the Xmas tree.🌲
Dream on. 🛌
I'm surprised Lieberman isn't stepping into the race. His ego could fill the gap even if he just stayed home.
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