'No-Labels' becoming exactly the scummy, insider-D.C. institution pretty much everyone expected

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from Simon Maloy at Salon:



____ No Labels was once the embodiment of a dream. It was the dream of a bunch of wealthy and bored coastal elites who’d determined that the biggest problem facing America was “partisanship,” and that the answer was to give up “ideology” and instead pursue a “centrist” agenda composed mainly of moderately conservative budget reforms and gimmicky demonstrations of bipartisan comity. The fact that “centrism” itself is as much an ideology as liberalism or conservatism didn’t matter – the cause was righteous, and the donations were plentiful.

The No Labels dream is coming up on its fourth birthday, and in that time the group has made exactly zero progress towards its goal of untangling gridlock in D.C. It’s actually worse now than it was in 2010, in spite of No Labels’ frequent calls for bipartisan seating for legislators at the State of the Union address.

What is has succeeded in doing, however, is becoming exactly the sort of scummy, insider-D.C. institution that pretty much everyone expected it would be. Yahoo! News’ Meredith Shiner has all the ugly details on how No Labels doesn’t really do anything except raise money for No Labels:

Much of the group’s budget goes toward sustaining or promoting itself. According to No Labels’ confidential document, the group employed 22 paid staffers and eight consultants as of May. Of its projected $4.5 million budget for 2014, only 4 percent — or $180,000 — of spending was slotted for “Congressional Relations.” By contrast, administrative and operational expenses got $1.035 million over the same time period. Another 5 percent was set for travel. A further 30 percent ($1.35 million) was earmarked for digital growth and press, and 14 percent for fundraising.

. . . What do they have to show for all this money raised and spent on themselves? “Even in its own May document, No Labels claimed only one legislative victory: a bill that passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote.” The group’s list of “accomplishments” is a depressing read, consisting largely of favorable press clips, members of Congress wearing No Labels pins to various functions, and the fact that “No Labels’ hashtag #FixNotFight was a trending topic on Twitter during the 2013 State of the Union address.”


read: http://www.salon.com/2014/07/29/no_labels_no_respect_the_bipartisan_solutions_group_embodies_the_worst_of_d_c/

[cantbeserious]

1. Another Excuse To Profit From Political Chaos

eom

[blm]

2. McKinnon operates to benefit BFEE. He's been doing it since he helped Clinton in 92, when

Poppy Bush saw a way out of what he knew would be certain impeachment after the BCCI Report's release in Dec1992. Jackson Stephens had his boy in Arkansas ready to go and dumped a million dollars immediately into a primary campaign. BTW - Clinton then deep-sixed many of the serious issues in BCCI report, protecting both Poppy and Stephens by doing so. He claimed it was in the name of moving past the political arguments. IranContra, BCCI, and CIA drug running were non-issues to Clinton WH. Poppy Bush escaped pretty much intact.

McKinnon was part of that team. Both Stephens and McKinnon then switched gears from Clinton to W. McKinnon's been laying groundwork for Jeb, his next priority. NoLabels was designed to bolster any Bush campaign or their BFEE allies.

I am keenly aware of what GOOD can come from a Clinton presidency, but, I am also keenly aware of the PRICE TAG (protecting Bushes) that comes with it.

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3. .

[The2ndWheel]

4. No Labels is a label

There's no escape.