John,
Whatever you think of the first few weeks of the Trump administration, one thing is certain:
We are in a new era. The assumptions and coalitions that shaped American politics for decades are all being disrupted.
This represents a historic opportunity for America’s commonsense majority – and No Labels intends to seize it.
In some ways, this moment reminds us of the work we did over thirty years ago to revive a moribund Democratic Party. During the 1980s, the party lost elections because it paid too much attention to the wants of left-wing interest groups and too little attention to the needs of most Americans.
The Democratic Party faces a similar conundrum today. American voters have never had a lower opinion of the party, but much of the party establishment is in denial. They think a few message tweaks or ramping up the Trump “resistance” can deliver them back to power.
It will not. Take a look at this op-ed we just wrote for The Hill to see why.
Here is what most Americans want.
More than 3 in 4 voters say they want congressional Democrats to try to “find common ground” with the Trump administration, and a similar margin wants congressional Republicans to “push back” on the Trump administration when they disagree.
In short, most Americans say they do not want endless resistance to Trump or a rubber stamp for him either.
They want congressional Democrats willing to come to the table to work with the new administration and the White House to make a real effort to invite them to the table.
They want independent-thinking leaders to deliver results on their top concerns: lowering prices, keeping communities safe, and fixing immigration.
No Labels is working tirelessly to empower a growing group of House and Senate members who embody this kind of leadership. If you want more of it – whether you are a Democrat, Republican or independent – No Labels is your place.
If you are concerned that President Trump might be moving too far, too fast, and stretching the bounds of his authority, No Labels is the place for you too. For years, presidents – from both parties – have been governing more aggressively through executive orders. Do you know why?
Because Congress has utterly failed to do its job and ignored huge problems year after year. When the legislative branch does not work, it creates a vacuum that is filled by the executive branch and the courts.
Through executive orders, President Trump is taking actions that respond to many Americans' concerns on issues like the border. But executive actions can get challenged – and knocked down – in the courts. They can get overturned when a new president comes in.
If you want durable change, you need laws passed in Congress. No other group in America is doing more to strengthen commonsense leaders in Congress and to help it assert its rightful place as a coequal branch of our federal government.
No Labels is the champion for America’s commonsense majority, and our work grows more critical by the week. Thank you for being part of it.
Sincerely,
Nancy Jacobson and Holly Page
