Manchin to lead No Labels event as Dems rush to halt third-party run.

No Labels: Raising $70 Million or Just Bluffing?

Senator Joe Manchin (W.Va.) is set to make a splash at a No Labels event in New Hampshire this weekend, while his fellow Democrats scramble to prevent the self-proclaimed centrist group from fielding a third-party presidential candidate in 2024.

The event, first reported by the Daily Mail, will take place on July 17 at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, a popular spot for presidential primary candidates. Former Republican governor John Huntsman will also be in attendance, making it a “townhall meeting” of sorts. No Labels’ senior staff has been touting the moderate Manchin as a top contender for the group’s presidential aspirations for several months now.

The big question remains: Can No Labels mount a serious political operation in 2024? According to the Washington Free Beacon, No Labels had a mere $10 million in assets by the end of 2021, a far cry from the $70 million it claims to be ready to spend on a presidential candidate. The group hasn’t even committed to running a candidate, stating that it is merely “preparing for the possibility of nominating a candidate” if the “proper environmental conditions” arise.

Nevertheless, Democrats are on edge, determined to prevent those “proper conditions” from materializing. In June, a group of Democratic operatives and former White House staffers, including former chief of staff Ron Klain, gathered to discuss No Labels. As reported by the Washington Post, Democrats urged No Labels to abandon their presidential ambitions, citing polls that indicate a moderate candidate entering the race would heavily favor Republicans, especially as President Biden faces historically low approval ratings. A coalition led by former House minority leader Dick Gephardt (D., Mo.) and former senator Doug Jones (D., Ala.) is also working to thwart the bipartisan group’s entry into the race, as reported by the Washington Post.

No Labels, however, insists that Democrats are overreacting. “They are really working overtime to prevent the voters from having a choice,” said No Labels co-founder and former senator Joe Lieberman (D., Conn.). “We believe that the voters in this country deserve a third choice, a bipartisan choice. And I will also reiterate that we will not be spoilers in this.”

While Manchin has yet to announce his bid for Senate reelection, polls consistently show him trailing his likely Republican opponent, West Virginia governor Jim Justice. Manchin has been evasive about his presidential aspirations, dismissing speculation by saying, “everybody’s getting so worked up and scared to death, and we’re a year and a half away.” “I don’t rule out anything,” he added. “There’s tremendous concern about our country and the direction the country is going in. That’s all.”

No Labels has stated that it will not announce a candidate until next year. For now, the group is focused on securing ballot access in all 50 states.