As Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) stays mum on his 2024 ambitions, the West Virginia senator is fiercely defending plans from the centrist group No Labels to create a third-party presidential ticket, arguing such a move would not create a “spoiler” opportunity for former President Donald Trump to reclaim the White House.
No Labels has emerged as a nationwide group actively courting centrists in both parties who could make up a 2024 presidential “unity ticket” that offers an alternative to “divisive” candidates. The group hosted its first town hall meeting on Monday night, featuring Manchin and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican, as the keynote speakers — raising questions about whether the pair is being courted for the alternative ticket.
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“Jon is a dear friend,” Manchin said when asked if he would consider running on a ticket with Huntsman. “I think people are getting their cart ahead of the horse. We’re here to make sure that the American people have an option, and the option is: Can you move the political parties off their sides? They’ve gone too far right and too far left.”
No Labels has described its efforts as an “insurance policy” in the 2024 presidential election, vowing to drop its bid if either party manages to provide a candidate whom centrist voters can accept.
Specifically, the group said it would aim to provide an option for voters who don’t want to see President Joe Biden or Trump win the White House, meaning a rematch between the two could pave the way for a third-party ticket.
However, this strategy has prompted widespread backlash from Democrats and Republicans alike, who say such a move would open the door for Trump to be reelected. But Manchin and Huntsman, who became the first co-chairmen of the No Labels group at its inception, pushed back on that assertion.
“This is the latest talking point,” Huntsman said. “Forget about the issues, forget about the importance of expanding and enhancing our democracy.”
Huntsman then pointed to his experience living in countries such as China or Russia that operate under authoritarian governments where “really, there’s no participation,” he said.
“They’re complete, pure authoritarian systems,” Huntsman said. “So when I started hearing people here say, ‘Oh, that’s not a good thing. You shouldn’t do things to expand and enhance our participation in the system that might result in A, B, or C winning or losing.’ I say, 'I’ve heard that before but not in this country. Here we do it differently.'”
The pair also pointed to internal polling conducted by No Labels that shows a majority of voters don’t want a rematch between Biden and Trump, creating an unprecedented opening for a third-party ticket to make significant gains in 2024. Outside Democratic groups have pushed back on that argument before, pointing to historical evidence showing third-party candidates typically do poorly in general elections.
One town hall attendee pressed Manchin on the issue, asking the West Virginia senator how a third-party ticket could prevail if voters are more concerned with defeating either Biden or Trump.
“Look at all the chatter already, the interest in the pros and cons,” Manchin said. “Why are people scared to have an option? Why are they scared that they may be threatened to do the right thing?”
Monday’s event comes just one day after the group unveiled its “Commonsense” platform, outlining 30 proposals. The 70-page booklet includes dozens of issues, including the budget, energy, immigration, inflation, education, gender identity, gun control, and abortion, among other topics.
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No Labels has not indicated who it would endorse for a presidential ticket, but the group said it plans to hold a nominating convention in April should it move forward with its plans for an alternative nominee. Still, several names have emerged as top contenders for the third-party ticket, such as Manchin, who has yet to confirm his plans for the 2024 cycle.
No Labels has already qualified to appear on the ballot in at least four states: Arizona, Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon. The group has vowed to compete for ballot access in at least 19 other states before the 2024 cycle begins in earnest.