I think your commentary is off-base in questioning whether no labels is a “subversive effort to elect Trump” - as far as I know, there is no evidence of that - whereas, for those of us (Republicans and Democrats alike) effectively disenfranchised by the apparent intention of the respective parties to try to force us to choose (again) between Biden and Trump, No Labels offers a legitimate (and welcome) alternative. And I do not think I am the only long time (very engaged) Republican who feels that way. Rather, I know many of us have been horrified to witness the hijacking of the AZ GOP by grifters like TPA, Ward, Lake, Rogers, et el, who not only shamelessly lie but have tried to advance their own interests at the expense of fine public officials whose only transgression has been observing the law - while, at the same time, even more horrified to witness the hijacking of our federal security and law enforcement apparatus by the Democrats, aided by their media allies, attempting to unseat a duly elected president through the pretext of the Russia collusion hoax, not to mention obstructing the performance of key executive functions (while also shamelessly lying and smearing fine people) - as well as misusing their authority to censor the flow of information to the public. The point is these actions, on both sides, threaten the stability and capacity to function of every institution necessary for our republic to continue - and, while I support the pending ballot initiative to reform our primary process (which may provide AZ voters an opportunity to once again elect folks who represent the actual majority), we “are where we are” today - and, as I see it, No Labels offers many of us the only viable means of voicing our unwillingness to go along with the destructive forces at work in both parties. So, before you opine, maybe take a deeper dive and get some facts.
So No Labels won’t win and it will throw the election to an insurrectionist as his supporters are rabid in their dedication. That’s the problem. Complaining gets you no where. You need to play with the cards dealt. Lets plan, explain the platform and implement in 2026.
Sep 21, 2023·edited Sep 21, 2023Liked by Hank Stephenson
Apparently, you do not comprehend my equal (if not greater) distaste for Biden - in which regard, again, I know I am not alone (and believe this holds true for both Republicans and Democrats) - meaning, for us, it is either sit out the election or cast a vote that, at minimum, sends a resounding message to those presently controlling both major parties that we are unwilling to continue with the status quo. In short, as far as I am concerned, we should be thanking No Labels for providing a viable alternative - not smearing them (further degrading the process, BTW - it is unbelievable to me what people can justify these days in order to get to a particular result).
That's fair. I guess the fundamental disagreement here is whether it IS a viable alternative, or if their only hope is of being a spoiler. I think the latter.
To me, this is the problem with most reporting these days, which is rarely backed by an effort to confirm facts and, rather, reflects the reporter’s intuitive reaction, invariably biased in favor of the reporter’s political leanings. I have yet to see hard evidence that no labels participation in the process would act as a “spoiler” for one party over the other - rather, just this morning, poll results were released showing that, in New Hampshire (where, because of the early primary, voters are thinking about their decision and likely to be more informed), more Republicans are disaffected with Trump than Democrats are with Biden (meaning unwilling to vote for), which tells me it is entirely possible, if not likely, that a NL candidate there would hurt Trump more than Biden. https://main-nationalreview-nationalreview.content.pugpig.com/2023/09/22/significant-portion-of-new-hampshire-republicans-say-they-wouldnt-vote-for-trump-in-2024-matchup-against-biden/content.html And, regardless, I keep coming back to my central premise, which is NL is offering an alternative to voters like me who would otherwise not vote for either Biden or Trump - who does that hurt? Not to mention NL’s steadfast support for the problem solvers caucus in Congress, another undertaking that does not get nearly the coverage it should - as is the case with similar efforts in Arizona (for example, it would be helpful to have ongoing reporting addressing the bipartisan housing legislation that failed in this last session and why it should be an issue in every 2024 campaign). In short, I think you are missing the bigger point, as reported in the pew research center report released this morning: Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with both parties, and do not believe their interests are represented by those currently in office - https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/19/americans-dismal-views-of-the-nations-politics/ - other reports confirm the same dissatisfaction extends to the media, which mostly tends to exacerbate divisions, as opposed to focusing on the things that should unite us.
There are numerous parties that have a platform which NL do not which makes me weary. I don’t know where their money comes from, who is backing them or what candidate they choose to nominate. Why not run an Independent? I’m not getting it. All I know is my first vote was for Eugene McCarthy (primary) When I told my mother she told me I’d wasted my vote. I disagreed at the time but now I see her point.
Hi Hank! I'm a loyal subscriber and love the newsletter. I have a question/suggestion. When a candidate such a Joan Serviss appears before Jake Hoffmans committee, and is rejected. , is that the end of the story? Do these candidates still go to the senate for a final vote? I think it would be wonderful to have an article that lays out a "what happens next" after the committee rules. THX! Mark
I think your commentary is off-base in questioning whether no labels is a “subversive effort to elect Trump” - as far as I know, there is no evidence of that - whereas, for those of us (Republicans and Democrats alike) effectively disenfranchised by the apparent intention of the respective parties to try to force us to choose (again) between Biden and Trump, No Labels offers a legitimate (and welcome) alternative. And I do not think I am the only long time (very engaged) Republican who feels that way. Rather, I know many of us have been horrified to witness the hijacking of the AZ GOP by grifters like TPA, Ward, Lake, Rogers, et el, who not only shamelessly lie but have tried to advance their own interests at the expense of fine public officials whose only transgression has been observing the law - while, at the same time, even more horrified to witness the hijacking of our federal security and law enforcement apparatus by the Democrats, aided by their media allies, attempting to unseat a duly elected president through the pretext of the Russia collusion hoax, not to mention obstructing the performance of key executive functions (while also shamelessly lying and smearing fine people) - as well as misusing their authority to censor the flow of information to the public. The point is these actions, on both sides, threaten the stability and capacity to function of every institution necessary for our republic to continue - and, while I support the pending ballot initiative to reform our primary process (which may provide AZ voters an opportunity to once again elect folks who represent the actual majority), we “are where we are” today - and, as I see it, No Labels offers many of us the only viable means of voicing our unwillingness to go along with the destructive forces at work in both parties. So, before you opine, maybe take a deeper dive and get some facts.
So No Labels won’t win and it will throw the election to an insurrectionist as his supporters are rabid in their dedication. That’s the problem. Complaining gets you no where. You need to play with the cards dealt. Lets plan, explain the platform and implement in 2026.
Apparently, you do not comprehend my equal (if not greater) distaste for Biden - in which regard, again, I know I am not alone (and believe this holds true for both Republicans and Democrats) - meaning, for us, it is either sit out the election or cast a vote that, at minimum, sends a resounding message to those presently controlling both major parties that we are unwilling to continue with the status quo. In short, as far as I am concerned, we should be thanking No Labels for providing a viable alternative - not smearing them (further degrading the process, BTW - it is unbelievable to me what people can justify these days in order to get to a particular result).
That's fair. I guess the fundamental disagreement here is whether it IS a viable alternative, or if their only hope is of being a spoiler. I think the latter.
To me, this is the problem with most reporting these days, which is rarely backed by an effort to confirm facts and, rather, reflects the reporter’s intuitive reaction, invariably biased in favor of the reporter’s political leanings. I have yet to see hard evidence that no labels participation in the process would act as a “spoiler” for one party over the other - rather, just this morning, poll results were released showing that, in New Hampshire (where, because of the early primary, voters are thinking about their decision and likely to be more informed), more Republicans are disaffected with Trump than Democrats are with Biden (meaning unwilling to vote for), which tells me it is entirely possible, if not likely, that a NL candidate there would hurt Trump more than Biden. https://main-nationalreview-nationalreview.content.pugpig.com/2023/09/22/significant-portion-of-new-hampshire-republicans-say-they-wouldnt-vote-for-trump-in-2024-matchup-against-biden/content.html And, regardless, I keep coming back to my central premise, which is NL is offering an alternative to voters like me who would otherwise not vote for either Biden or Trump - who does that hurt? Not to mention NL’s steadfast support for the problem solvers caucus in Congress, another undertaking that does not get nearly the coverage it should - as is the case with similar efforts in Arizona (for example, it would be helpful to have ongoing reporting addressing the bipartisan housing legislation that failed in this last session and why it should be an issue in every 2024 campaign). In short, I think you are missing the bigger point, as reported in the pew research center report released this morning: Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with both parties, and do not believe their interests are represented by those currently in office - https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/19/americans-dismal-views-of-the-nations-politics/ - other reports confirm the same dissatisfaction extends to the media, which mostly tends to exacerbate divisions, as opposed to focusing on the things that should unite us.
There are numerous parties that have a platform which NL do not which makes me weary. I don’t know where their money comes from, who is backing them or what candidate they choose to nominate. Why not run an Independent? I’m not getting it. All I know is my first vote was for Eugene McCarthy (primary) When I told my mother she told me I’d wasted my vote. I disagreed at the time but now I see her point.
I like the panda cam, personally.
Hi Hank! I'm a loyal subscriber and love the newsletter. I have a question/suggestion. When a candidate such a Joan Serviss appears before Jake Hoffmans committee, and is rejected. , is that the end of the story? Do these candidates still go to the senate for a final vote? I think it would be wonderful to have an article that lays out a "what happens next" after the committee rules. THX! Mark
This is great! People love a good explainer. And honestly, I'm not even sure I know the full answer to What happens next. Will have to look into it.