We have to nurture a third political party, not have it rammed down our throats | Opinion

The No Labels party reminds me of the song “Taking a Chance On Love.” Its lyrics, “Here I go again, I hear the trumpets blow again, I’m all aglow again, taking a chance on love.” Since 1980, when I voted for Republican Congressman John Anderson, who ran as an independent against Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, I have longed for a third party to emerge to provide moderate thoughtful leadership guided by policies that achieve the best results in smartest way for the country. Political maneuvering would be a secondary consideration, if a consideration at all.

No Labels polling implies a majority of the country may feel this way, too. But are we willing to take the very real risk that No Labels may siphon off more votes from President Biden in 2024 and hand Donald Trump the election? That is too great a risk to take.

What we know is that upwards of two-thirds of voters do not want to see Trump or Biden run, and we know 35% of the voters will, to paraphrase, vote for Trump even if he shoots someone on Fifth Avenue. But we do not know if the dissatisfied two-thirds are ready to take a leap of faith to a new and untested third party.

What can we do to advance the cause of a centrist common sense third party?

Start building support and a new party at the congressional and state level. That is what the Republican Party did in 1854 when it was founded, electing members to Congress and winning state houses before electing Abraham Lincoln president in 1860. In districts where moderate Democrats and Republicans could and did win, but were primaried because they were not extreme enough a No Labels candidate could win.

Add to that Republican and Democratic members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House and Senate who would switch to No Labels and in short order you would have 30 to 40 representatives and six to 10 senators who would hold the balance of power in Congress.

As the Problem Solvers have done with some success, the No Labels caucus could force Democrats or Republicans to tack to the center if they hoped to have a share of the power. This could be done at the state level, as well.

It will provide proof of concept that the rational common-sense leadership of No Labels can get things done in a constructive manner on issues such as balancing the budget, taxes, entitlement reform, energy, immigration and protecting democracy.Then a majority of those two-thirds who don’t like either party’s leadership would find that No Labels really is the answer for better government. They would have confidence in supporting a No Labels candidate for president.

In addition, the congressional bench and new No Labels state leaders would provide an attractive and accomplished pool of candidates for higher office. Those talented people would not have to constantly watch their backs against party extremists.

In this manner, No Labels could capture the public’s imagination and support, create a common ground for most voters and, thereby, become the new long-term sustainable majority party — and strengthen our democracy

Neisen O. Kasdin is a former mayor of Miami Beach.