The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is mobilizing its inaugural team to counter the presence of third-party and independent contenders in presidential elections, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke with NBC News. This move comes as the party and its allies gear up for a potential showdown against candidates perceived as spoilers.
The DNC has enlisted the expertise of seasoned Democratic strategist Lis Smith, renowned for her pivotal role in steering Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential bid, to spearhead a robust communications strategy.
This strategy, complemented by opposition research and legal maneuvers, underscores the significance Democrats attribute to this initiative. Overseeing this effort are Mary Beth Cahill and Ramsey Reid, both seasoned insiders at the DNC, who have already begun issuing rare public statements rebuking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Matt Corridoni, formerly Smith’s deputy during the Buttigieg campaign and most recently a key aide to Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., will join the team as a spokesperson.
Corridoni emphasized the necessity of vigilance, stating, “We’re facing an unprecedented election, and we know the GOP is already working to prop up third-party candidates like Robert Kennedy Jr. to make them stalking horses for Donald Trump. With so much on the line, we’re not taking anything for granted. We’re going to make sure voters are educated, and we’re going to make sure all candidates are playing by the rules.”
Simultaneously, a coalition of external organizations, comprising both Democratic and anti-Trump Republican entities, is amassing resources and deploying strategies to counter the influence of third parties.
Pat Dennis, president of American Bridge, a Democratic opposition research group, noted a lingering concern stemming from the impact of candidates like Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee in 2016, whom many perceive as having played a spoiler role, particularly in crucial states like Michigan.
Democrats have long attributed their electoral setbacks to third-party candidates, citing instances such as Stein’s and Ralph Nader’s runs in 2016 and 2000, respectively. They anticipate heightened significance for third parties in the 2024 elections, given the dynamics of Trump’s support base.
Joe Trippi, a veteran Democratic strategist involved in the formation of a new super PAC, emphasized the role of third-party candidates as a significant threat to defeating Trump. Trippi’s group, Citizens to Save Our Republic, boasts a bipartisan roster of notable figures and is poised to launch a vigorous campaign in battleground states.
Trump’s campaign and allies acknowledge the potency of third parties in potentially fracturing the anti-Trump coalition. Consequently, efforts are underway to dissuade potential candidates from aligning with third-party movements.
Legal battles loom on multiple fronts, with entities like End Citizens United and the DNC pursuing legal action against Kennedy’s super PAC and No Labels for alleged infractions. Meanwhile, organizations like MoveOn are striving to dissuade progressive voters from supporting third-party candidates through targeted ad campaigns.
Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, expressed concerns that third-party options might appeal to anti-Trump Republicans and disaffected Democrats. While acknowledging the appeal of multiparty democracy in theory, Wilson emphasized the urgency of thwarting third-party influences in the current political climate, viewing them as potentially facilitating Trump’s re-election.
In essence, the DNC’s efforts, alongside those of allied organizations, reflect a concerted push to counter the influence of third parties in upcoming elections, driven by the imperative to prevent outcomes perceived as detrimental to their objectives.
