'Such a waste': Internet not surprised as No Labels suspends 2024 campaign for a 'unity ticket'

WASHINGTON, DC: Centrist group No Labels suspended their 2024 presidential campaign for a "unity ticket" after failing to find a worthy candidate to run as an alternative to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the New York Post reported.

"Americans remain more open to an independent presidential run, and hungrier for unifying national leadership than ever before," read a statement from the group released on Thursday, April 4.

"But No Labels has always said we would only offer our ballot line to a ticket if we could identify candidates with a credible path to winning the White House. No such candidates emerged, so the responsible course of action is for us to stand down," it continued.

The final exit of No Labels from the campaign ends months-long discussion and anticipation ahead of the crucial presidential rematch between Biden and Trump. The group had also raised tens of millions of dollars to find a candidate that could win the White House.

No Labels asserts this is not the end

Actively searching for worthy candidates, the group announced on March 8 that they were accelerating their efforts on "their candidate outreach" to find Republicans and Democrats for the unity ticket.

Although the 800 delegates of the organization unanimously voted to move forward with their efforts, they failed to find a qualified candidate.

Former GOP presidential candidates, such as Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, and Democratic contender Rep Dean Phillips, refused to run under a No Label ticket. In addition, center-left Sen Joe Manchin from West Virginia also ruled out the third-party candidacy.

The final blow to the group's efforts came when its founding chairman, Sen Joe Lieberman, passed away on March 27.

Following the decision to suspend the 2024 campaign, No Labels promised to "remain engaged over the next year during what is likely to be our most divisive presidential election. We will promote dialogue around major policy challenges and call out both sides when they speak and act in bad faith."

Expressing their concerns about the potential "division and strife gripping the country" after the 2024 election despite who is the winner, No Labels added, "Post-election, No Labels will be prepared to champion and defend the values and interests of America's commonsense majority. We will also bring our citizens and leaders together for a summit to discuss the path forward for our community and our nation."

"Suffice it to say that this movement is not done. In fact, it is just beginning," the statement concluded.

No Labels national director to vote for Joe Biden

Following their decision to exit the 2024 race, No Labels national director Joe Cunningham revealed he would vote for Biden over Trump. In an interview with Fox News's Neil Cavuto on April 4, the former Congressman from South Carolina was pressed about who he would vote for, including Robert F Kenndey Jr, according to Mediaite.

"I would vote for Biden over Trump," Cunningham outrightly stated.

Regarding their decision to no longer consider a candidate, he said it was "not for lack of trying."

"No Labels was looking for a hero and a hero never emerged," he stated, adding they failed to find a candidate who had a "pathway to victory."

Internet reacts to end of No Labels campaign

Weighing in on the end of the No Labels 2024 campaign, netizens shared mixed opinions.

One user wrote, "How many millions, gone? Such a waste."

"Of course you aren’t for open competition. We already knew that though," another person remarked.

A third user added, "Now that No Labels is out, democrats only need to 'eliminate' RFK Jr and arrange the 'fortification'."

"That’s great for Trump! RFK jr is going to hurt Biden," a fourth response read. While another user said, "Translation: their funding dried up."

Someone else stated, "If anything was 'abandoned', it was No Labels. They thought they were reading the room. They were reading their own obituary."

"Maybe they should start with small local elections. Build a party from the ground up. Do the hard, unsexy work. You know, where the votes are counted," an individual opined.

A remark read, "That was always a disastrous plan." Another person added, "Finally a wise decision they have come to..."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.