No Labels, one of the country's most prominent organizations advocating political moderation, is calling on Washington to use the United States' semiquincentennial year as an inflection point to reassess how the country preserves its democratic experiment for future generations.
The organization is releasing a new book titled 'Beyond Lincoln: 25 Unsung Heroes of American Unity,' which details figures across 250 years of American history who bridged divides and embraced common ground. The book highlights individuals ranging from Clara Barton and Dolley Madison to Fred Rogers and former Sen. Joe Lieberman.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservatives have expressed skepticism about No Labels' premise that polarization is inherently harmful to democracy. Some Republican commentators argue that vigorous debate between competing visions is fundamental to American governance, and that calls for moderation can sometimes obscure meaningful policy differences.
Conservative critics also contend that the organization's focus on 'unity' fails to account for what they characterize as progressive overreach on cultural and social issues. Some Republicans have suggested that No Labels' push for compromise could amount to pressure on conservatives to abandon core principles on issues like Second Amendment rights, immigration restrictions, and fiscal conservatism.
Furthermore, some conservative voices have questioned whether the 'exhausted majority' polling data accurately captures voter priorities, arguing that voters who prioritize strong borders, economic growth, and traditional values remain firmly in the Republican camp.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics of No Labels argue that the organization's emphasis on bipartisanship and compromise could undermine efforts to address systemic inequities. Some progressive activists contend that positioning both parties as equally responsible for gridlock overlooks instances where one side has blocked legislation on voting rights, healthcare expansion, and environmental protections.
Progressive organizations have also raised concerns that the 'exhausted majority' framing could discount voters who have clear policy preferences on issues like reproductive rights and economic justice. Some liberal commentators note that calling for compromise without specifying what compromises should be made risks normalizing obstructionist tactics from the minority party.
Additionally, some Democrats have questioned whether No Labels' potential independent candidacies in past election cycles primarily served to draw votes away from progressive candidates, potentially benefiting Republican opponents.
What the Numbers Show
According to research by More in Common, approximately two-thirds of Americans fall into what researchers have coined the 'exhausted majority' — a demographic spanning seven political tribes described as fed up with polarization, flexible in their views, and believing common ground can be found.
Polling conducted ahead of the 2024 election, when No Labels considered running an independent 'Unity ticket' candidate, showed at least 60% of voters were looking for an alternative to the two major party candidates — then-President Donald Trump and then-candidate Joe Biden.
The book 'Beyond Lincoln' identifies 25 figures across American history who exemplified bridging divides, from James Madison's bipartisan weekly parties at the White House in the early Republic to Fred Rogers' congressional testimony defending public broadcasting.
The Bottom Line
No Labels is positioning the semiquincentennial as a moment for Washington to reflect on democratic preservation, arguing that extreme voices appealing to frustrated voters are gaining traction. The organization's book aims to inspire a new generation of leaders who prioritize country over party, though critics from both the left and right question whether the moderation message resonates with voters who hold strong positions on key issues. With 60% of voters in 2024 seeking alternatives to major party candidates, the demand for moderate political options remains significant, though translating that sentiment into electoral success has proven challenging for third-party and independent efforts.