No Labels national co-chair Ben Chavis said on MSNBC over the weekend that the organization is actively speaking with Republican, Democratic, and independent leaders to determine a presidential nominee and would have a decision in the upcoming weeks.
In a discussion with MSNBC’s The Weekend co-hosts Symone Sanders and Michael Steele on Sunday, Chavis addressed claims that a No Labels candidacy would come at the expense of Democratic President Joe Biden. When asked about data showing No Labels benefiting Republican Donald Trump, Chavis stated that the organization’s internal polling produced data indicating the opposite and that a No Labels candidate would likely attract an equal number of independent voters.
When pressed in turn by Steele about whether a Republican or Democrat would be at the top of the ticket, Chavis responded that No labels leaders are pursuing a unity ticket and actively engaging with leaders from Republican, Democratic, and independent backgrounds. However, he did not disclose specific individuals they are currently in talks with. Chavis did mention, however, that the organization expects to have an idea in the next couple of weeks.
“I can say for the record, on your program this morning, that we are talking to exceptional Republicans, exceptional Democratic and independent leaders, and we will know in the next couple of weeks,” Chavis said.
Readers can view the full segment below:
No Labels has faced several setbacks in recent months in finding a potential nominee. Last Friday, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who has been frequently considered a possible choice by members of the public, announced that he would not seek the presidency. Before that, Republican and former Governor Larry Hogan, a former leader of the organization who was similarly floated, announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.
Haley will have some sore loser difficulties if she does not drop out and succeed in getting her name removed from ballots by tomorrow, which probably wouldn’t work due to absentee and early voting. Phillips has said he won’t have anything to do with it.
Perhaps they will take Rep. Dean Phillips up on his suggestion… he said he would like to be Nikki Haley’s running mate. I was hoping for something better but at least this would look like a unity ticket of sorts.