The Biden administration is facing criticism from Fox Business anchor Charles Payne for its handling of the inflation crisis in America and the consequences of COVID-era lockdowns. Payne accuses the administration of being indifferent to these pressing issues, which are having a detrimental impact on the country. Meanwhile, Democrats’ top opposition research group, American Bridge, is taking steps to suppress any potential third-party presidential challenges that could hamper President Biden’s re-election effort.
American Bridge recently hired Mark Elias, a veteran Democratic operative and lawyer, to prevent the success of any third-party challenger. Their efforts have primarily focused on legal challenges over technical issues in the complex network of regulations required to run for office nationally. The group’s president, Pat Denis, has stated that they are closely monitoring all potential threats to President Biden and are not ruling out legal action if they identify any problems.
Top Democrats are deeply concerned about the potential impact of a third-party candidate on Biden’s re-election prospects. Jim Messina, a former top aide to former President Obama, has argued that a third-party candidate cannot win in 2024 and would likely guarantee a victory for former President Trump. Messina’s viewpoint is widely shared among Democrats, who see Trump as a more formidable opponent than any potential third-party candidate.
One organization pushing for an independent candidacy is No Labels, which is advocating for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to run. However, this initiative is being met with skepticism and opposition from Democrats who fear it could split the vote and ultimately benefit Trump. A Reuters poll conducted in December found that Trump’s lead over Biden expanded by 5 points when respondents were given the option to vote for Kennedy.
The founder of No Labels, former Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, has repeatedly denied claims that his group is working as a spoiler. He argues that there is a demand for a third option beyond Republicans and Democrats, as evidenced by the poll showing that 6 in 10 Americans desire an alternative. However, critics argue that supporting a third-party candidate could ultimately play into the hands of Trump and hinder Biden’s chances of re-election.
The debate surrounding third-party challenges and the potential impact on the 2024 election continues to unfold. Democrats are taking steps to suppress these challenges, while some organizations advocate for an independent candidacy. As the Biden administration grapples with the inflation crisis and economic consequences of the pandemic, the stakes are high for the upcoming election.
