President Biden can breathe a sigh of relief in his quest for a second term, as No Labels revealed on Thursday that it will not be putting forth a candidate in this year’s election.
During a recent talk show appearance, Hillary Clinton may have inadvertently caused a new problem for herself by telling disaffected voters to “get over yourself.”
Many Democrats were angry with No Labels because they believed that the group’s potential challenge would have benefitted former President Trump, possibly leading to his return to the White House.
In the end, the supposedly centrist group failed to attract any prominent political figures to run under its name. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) were among those who declined the offer.
No Labels issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that the American public is yearning for a leader who can bring the nation together. They also acknowledged their previous stance, which stated that they would only endorse a candidate who had a realistic chance of winning the presidency.
The group concluded that since no suitable candidates emerged, it would be best for them to stand down.
The No Labels threat disappearing provides a glimmer of hope amidst the otherwise bleak outlook for Biden.
According to a recent poll by the Wall Street Journal, Trump is currently leading the incumbent president in six out of the seven battleground states that will likely play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.
There is also growing dissatisfaction with Biden’s endorsement of Israel during its offensive in Gaza, which, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 33,000 individuals.
No Labels’ decision, however, fails to diminish the challenge that Biden still confronts from other candidates.
According to The Hill and Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stands out as the top alternative choice, garnering approximately 8 percent support nationwide.
Kennedy’s unorthodox platform appeals to both disaffected Republicans and Democrats. However, most polls indicate that his entry into the race slightly strengthens Trump’s advantage over Biden.
Jill Stein from the Green Party and Cornel West, a prominent academic and activist, are also running to the left of Biden. However, West’s chances of appearing on the ballot in several states are uncertain. On the other hand, there are no significant candidates running to the right of Trump.
Democrats have expressed concerns about the potential impact of these candidacies, considering the challenges that Biden is already encountering.
Hillary Clinton’s intervention plays a crucial role in this matter.
During her appearance on NBC’s “Tonight Show” on Monday, host Jimmy Fallon posed a question to Hillary Clinton regarding voters who may be “upset” about the upcoming election being between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Hillary Clinton had a blunt response to those who were making excuses or complaining about their options. She simply said, “Get over yourself. Those are the two choices.” Her straightforward and no-nonsense attitude reflected her belief that sometimes in life, you have to accept the reality and make the best of the available options.
In her argument, she emphasized that Biden embodies qualities such as effectiveness, compassion, and genuine concern for people due to his age and experience. On the other hand, she pointed out that Trump’s age is accompanied by a history of being charged with 91 felonies.
Most Democrats recognize a significant contrast between Biden and Trump. However, they hold reservations about whether dissatisfied voters, who already feel disconnected or condescended to, will be open to the idea of “getting over” themselves.
According to Democratic strategist Mark Longabaugh, Clinton’s comment highlights her tendency to be “tonally off-sync.”
According to Longabaugh, he is uncertain whether this is the most effective approach to regain the support of disaffected Democrats and younger voters for Joe Biden.
According to him, young individuals desire inspiration rather than being lectured. He believes that in order to regain their support, it is important to highlight Biden’s significant accomplishments in the realm of climate change and his efforts to safeguard women’s reproductive rights.
Grant Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, concurs with this viewpoint, along with other independent experts.
According to Reeher, Clinton’s comment and the ensuing mini-controversy were dangerous because they reinforced an already negative perception of establishment Democrats.
According to Reeher, the Democratic Party, including Hillary Clinton, has a reputation for lecturing and preaching to voters. This reputation is not beneficial when it comes to connecting with voters. Reeher compares this to Clinton’s infamous comment about the “basket of deplorables,” stating that it aligns with the existing negative perception of the party and its leaders. This negative reputation does not help the party in gaining support from voters.
During her 2016 campaign against Trump, Clinton made a remark at a fundraising event where she referred to “half of Trump’s supporters” as part of the “basket of deplorables.” However, this attack ended up backfiring, as it unintentionally became a badge of honor for Trump’s most passionate supporters.
However, there are some Democrats who are defending Clinton’s most recent “get over yourself” comment.
According to Basil Smikle Jr., a Democratic strategist based in New York, the language used can be seen as “strong words for a challenging period.”
According to Smikle, using assertive language is crucial in order to awaken voters from the notion that the upcoming election in November is merely a decision between the lesser of two evils.
According to Smikle, the concept of “the lesser of two evils” does not inspire voters. He believes that Clinton’s words can help voters realize that it’s not a matter of preference, but rather a choice between two distinct agendas for the country.
Come November, the White House will be counting on voters to perceive things in their favor.
However, there is no guarantee of that.
