David Sirota reports: “In an interview with Denver’s NBC station, No Labels co-founder is asked why the organization won’t disclose its donors now trying to buy ballot access in the 2024 presidential election. She answers: ‘Because it opens people up to incredible scrutiny.'”
PHILIP WEISS, phil@mondoweiss.net, @
Weiss is editor of MondoWeiss and wrote the piece “‘No Labels’ — another Trojan Horse for Israel support without media scrutiny.”
He writes: “Maybe you’ve seen the boomlet of stories about a possible Third Party bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024. The organization behind the effort, No Labels, is headed by a veteran Democratic Party fundraiser and is trying to raise $70 million, according to the New York Times. …
“It’s led by Nancy Jacobson, an ‘uber-fundraiser’ for Democrats, according to Politico: a former finance chair of the Democratic National Committee who is ‘regarded as one of the most gifted fundraisers in the nation’s capital.’ Last year, Jacobson said that she ‘raised probably over 55 million dollars in the last 12 years.’ …
“The news coverage emphasizes the group’s bipartisan efforts on budget, infrastructure spending, and immigration reform. While No Labels’ own website says it is ‘finding nonpartisan solutions” for “our toughest political challenges.’
“The New York Times says that No Labels’ detractors say it has been ‘fronting for Republicans and existing mainly to raise large amounts of money from wealthy corporate donors.’ While New York Magazine mentions ‘shadowy donors who are paying for the show.’
“None of this coverage brings in Israel. But Jacobson told the Washington Jewish Week in 2020 that support for Israel is a core commitment. She bragged of creating the Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress (led by pro-Israel hack Josh Gottheimer) that attacked BDS: ‘Jacobson also credited the Problem Solvers for forcing House leadership to vote on a resolution condemning the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement targeting Israel. The resolution was praised by many pro-Israel and Jewish groups, though critics said it infringed on free speech.’
“In that interview, Jacobson urged elected officials to be open-minded and seek compromise — except on Israel: “There is no middle ground on Israel.” …
“Her husband, the political strategist Mark Penn, cited in some of the coverage of No Labels, is also a dyed-in-the-wool Israel supporter. …
“Jacobson and Penn’s family is an AIPAC family, Washington Jewish Week reports: ‘Jacobson said her family’s involvement with the Jewish community centers on support for AIPAC.'”
