The political organization known as ‘No Labels’ popped up in 2010, right around the same time as the Tea Party and claimed it wanted to create unity between the left and the right.
Personally, I never trusted this idea or the organization. To me, no labels sounded like an idea that would be conceived by a group of ninth graders who didn’t understand the need for certain labels in the political world. I also thought the whole thing sounded inherently progressive.
They are still around and apparently are planning a “unity ticket” for the 2024 presidential election, but the organization has a lot of internal problems.
Politico reports:
Inside the turmoil roiling No Labels’ unity ticket presidential campaignOver the past year, the centrist group No Labels has spearheaded an ambitious $70 million project laying the groundwork for a unity ticket presidential campaign in 2024.For that effort, its founder and CEO, one of Washington’s most successful fundraisers, Nancy Jacobson, has enlisted the help of a number of major donors and sought support in top political allies. Outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.), who is considering a presidential run, is the group’s co-chair. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently met with the group’s executives and donors in Dallas.But behind the scenes there is turmoil inside the organization. Interviews with 14 former employees—including five who left in the last few months—and four other people familiar with No Labels reveals a cutthroat culture, one where staffers are routinely fired or pushed out, have little trust in management, and believe the workplace environment can be difficult for minority and female colleagues.
Many of the people were granted anonymity for fear of reprisal, though some aired their complaints to POLITICO on the record. Among their allegations:
- There is lingering discord over the decision to hire and ally with individuals who left prior jobs under allegations they’d sexually harassed women.
- Two former staffers said they witnessed one of the organization’s few Black employees being singled out to discuss race issues at a staff meeting.
- At least three ex-aides have sought remuneration from the group over the nature of their termination in the last two years.
- Two female staffers recalled management telling female employees to dress more conservatively after a colleague was improperly touched by a male member of Congress at a No Labels event.
Interestingly, No Labels uses the slogan “Together We Can” in this promotional video. That was the slogan of former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in his 2006 campaign. His campaign manager, David Axelrod, would go on to work for the Obama 2008 campaign, which used the slogan “Yes We Can.”
Most of the chatter about No Labels on Twitter is negative.
Featured image via YouTube.
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