Can the 'No Labels' movement defy the party system?

A collection of Republicans, Democrats, and independents have formed an alliance to move beyond party politics. Can they succeed?

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the launch of "No Labels," a movement that attempts to get beyond party affiliations.
(Image credit: Getty)

Politicians from both sides of the aisle are trying to reclaim the political center by forming a group called "No Labels." The organization is a loose affiliation of Republicans, Democrats, and independents who say they will work together to fight the partisanship that is stifling Washington. Their roster includes Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) and other well-known moderates like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Can this centrist alliance defy the two-party system? (Watch an MSNBC discussion about the movement)

No labels, but plenty of ideologues: The "wishy-washy" centrists involved with "No Labels" say they are done with partisanship, says Jim Newell at Gawker. But "don't pretend that this isn't ideological." The movement is pushing "partial privatization or cuts to federal entitlements, loose oversight of corporate power... and an ever-stronger national security state." This is nothing but a "smug" way to promote "Beltway conventional wisdom."

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