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Catch The RP on National Public Radio TODAY at 11:00

By Jonathan Miller, on Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 9:15 AM ET
If you are near a radio or computer at 11:00 AM EST today, you can catch me as the special guest on National Public Radio’s “On Point” with host Tom Ashbrook.

The live online stream can be accessed by clicking here.

Alternatively, you can click here to find the show on your satellite or FM radio dial.

I will be discussing the extraordinary January we’ve been having at No Labels.  In the wake of a spectacular Meeting to Make America Work last week in New York, the U.S. House of Representatives just today passed our signature legislation, “No Budget, No Pay,” and we expect imminent Senate passage.  Read all about the progress of “No Budget, No Pay” by clicking here.

To join the conversation on the air, call the NPR studio at 1-800-423-8255.  Just no questions about UK basketball.  It’s been a bit depressing lately.

 
The RP   ,  

No Budget No Pay Sails Through the House; and Passage thru the Senate Appears Imminent

By Jonathan Miller, on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 3:00 PM ET

nolabelsorg-87_600Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed No Budget, No Pay as a key part of the House debt ceiling extension bill. No Budget, No Pay was conceived by No Labels over a year ago as part of the Make Congress Work! action plan to break the gridlock in Washington.

“The No Labels grassroots army has been pushing No Budget, No Pay for over a year, and we’re ecstatic that the House has embraced the idea in a strong a bipartisan vote,” said No Labels Co-Founder David Walker. “Although withholding congressional pay may seem like a drastic step, it’s necessary to provide the right incentives and accountability mechanisms to encourage Congress to do its job in connection with the nation’s budget. Based on comments from key Senate leaders that they intend to pass the budget this year, it looks like No Budget, No Pay has already had a positive behavioral effect.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor endorsed No Budget, No Pay last week, but No Labels worked with Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) and Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) to first introduce No Budget, No Pay legislation in the House and Senate in December of 2011. With support from No Labels’ hundreds of thousands of grassroots supporters, the bill eventually garnered over 90 co-sponsors in the 112th Congress and received a hearing in the Senate in March of 2012. Specific details of today’s House passed version of No Budget, No Pay differ from No Labels’ original proposal, but the underlying idea is the same: members of Congress shouldn’t be paid if they can’t pass a budget on time.

“I’m proud to have been the original co-sponsor of the No Budget, No Pay proposal in the House, and I am pleased that members from both sides of the aisle have supported this straightforward idea,” said Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN). “We owe it to the American people to pass the budget each year, and this vote affirms that Congress should face consequences when we fail to do so.”

“Without a budget, Congress is essentially spending taxpayer money first and asking questions later, but No Budget, No Pay creates a serious incentive for Congress to handle our nation’s finances more responsibly,” said Congressman Reid Ribble (R-WI). “It is not a partisan issue – it’s common sense.”

===

Here’s the story from my fellow No Labels co-founder, John Avlon of CNN:

If you don’t get the job done at work, you won’t get paid.

But Congress plays by its own rules. Specifically, Congress hasn’t passed a budget in almost four years. This is basic — and required by law. Congress seems to think it’s bigger than the law, however, which might help explain one recent poll that found it less popular than root canals, cockroaches and Donald Trump.

Read the rest of…
No Budget No Pay Sails Through the House; and Passage thru the Senate Appears Imminent

 
The RP

Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor Endorse No Labels Proposal “No Budget, No Pay”

By Jonathan Miller, on Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 3:01 PM ET

In the wake of No Labels’ historic Meeting to Make America Work! of 1,300 citizen problem solvers and leaders in New York City last week, Washington has torn a page out of the No Labels Make Congress Work! action plan and announced support for a No Budget, No Pay concept that would dock pay for members of Congress if the Senate can’t pass a budget.

In December of 2011, No Labels introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act in the House with Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) and with Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) in the Senate. It had over 90 co-sponsors in the 112th Congress, and received a hearing in the Senate in March of 2012. This bill has been pushed by No Labels’ hundreds of thousands of grassroots supporters — Democrats, Republicans and everything in between — with 88 percent approval ratings from voters, who want more accountability in Washington.

“No Budget, No Pay is a common-sense idea that should gain the support of Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate — because it’s not one party or the other that needs a budget, it’s America that needs a budget,” says No Labels Co-Founder Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“The House GOP leadership has evidently decided to endorse the No Budget, No Pay concept,” No Labels Co-Founder and former Comptroller General of the United States Dave Walker says. “This is a major step forward to helping ensure that the Congress passes a budget and is held accountable if it fails to do so.”

Do you support “No Budget, No Pay”?  Then tell your Senators and Congressman RIGHT NOW.  Click here for an easy link to let your Congressmen know how you feel.

 

No Labels is a grassroots movement of Democrats, Republicans and independents dedicated to promoting a new politics of problem solving.

 
The RP   ,  

Press from No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work

By RP Staff, on Fri Jan 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM ET

lisanolabelsWowza:

Read this article by Ron Fournier in theNational Journal about a dinner he attended with some of the Problem Solvers.

Read this column by Joe Klein inTIME about how No Labels is helping him to feel a little bit of hope again.

Read this article in the National Journal about a political “revolution brewing” due to No Labels’ efforts.

Read this article in theAssociated Press about the excitement and optimism that emerged from Members of Congress out of the Meeting to Make America Work.

Read an Op-Ed from Bill Galston inPOLITICO on why a Clintonian helped found No Labels

Read an Op-Ed from Sen. Joe Manchin and Gov. Jon Huntsman in The Washington Post on why they believe in the importance of No Labels

Read this article inThe New York Times about a group of No Labels lawmakers who are ready to buck the trend of gridlock.

Read this article in theNational Journal about the new leaders of No Labels, and why it shouldn’t be labeled a Kumbaya Caucus.

Read this story inThe Wall Street Journal that asks if No Labels can help lawmakers to ‘get along.’

Read this article inThe Huffington Post about how each of the No Labels national leaders decided get on board.

Read this article inThe Wall Street Journal about some of the measures No Labels has outlined in Make Congress Work.

Watch CNN’s ‘Starting Point’ interview with Joe Manchin and Jon Hunstman live from the New York “Meeting To Make America Work”.

Watch Sen. Joe Manchin and Gov. Jon Huntsman discuss the Meeting to Make America Work on State of the Union with Candy Crowley.

Watch Sen. Joe Manchin and Gov. Jon Huntsman discuss their experiences with bi-partisanship on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

Read Rebekah Metzler in U.S. News and World Report noting widespread youth enthusiasm at the No Labels New York launch meeting.

Watch this clip fromMorning Joe, where Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), former Governor Jon Huntsman (R-UT) and Co-Founder Mark McKinnon discuss an identity crisis within the Republican party.

Watch Ron Shaich, Co-Founder & CEO, Panera Bread’s interview on No Label’s pro-business agenda with Fox’s Neil Cavuto Business Report

Watch James Himes (D, CT) on Bloomberg Television as he explains how No Labels makes a difference in helping Congress to stop gridlock (segment at close of fiscal cliff intro).

Watch this interview onHuffPost Live between Abby Huntsman, Mayor Cory Booker and her father, Jon Huntsman, about No Labels.

Watch CNN’s ‘Newsroom’ covering “Meeting to Make America Work” highlighting Problem Solvers Bloc and Jon Huntsman and Joe Manchin.

Read this article by Rachel Cromidas inThe Wall Street Journal about the means by which the Problem Solvers hope to change Congress.

Read Martha Moore in USA Today observing that No Labels’ Problem Solvers Bloc is a new political force.

Watch John Avlon, No-Labels Co-Founder, on CNN’s Out Front With Erin Barnett discussing how the new No Labels Problem Solvers Bloc will address overcoming gridlock.

Read Joy Resmovits ofHuffington Post covering the Meeting to Make America Work.

Read this editorial in The Pantagraph urging No Labels as a good start toward restoration of our government.

Read this article inU.S. News & World Report explaining the ideas behind the Problem Solvers in Congress and No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work.

Read this editorial inThe Intelligencer Journal, which says that No Labels’ ideas make sense and that it hopes that we are tested further in the future.

Watch this clip fromJansing & Co. showing an interview with Joe Manchin as he explains some of the ideas behind No Labels.

Read this article by Jennifer Harper in The Washington Times about John Huntsman and his participation at the No Labels meeting in Manhattan,New York.

Watch Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) speak on the House floor about the point of the Problem Solvers and urging his colleagues to join.

Watch CSPAN highlights of Janice Hahn’s House Floor address calling for a problem solver’s approach in Congress (via YouTube).

Read this editorial from The Frederick News Post saying that No Labels has “great potential.”

Read Ruby Cramer of Buzz Feed analyzing No Labels leader Jon Huntsman’s perspectives on environmental protection.

Watch this clip from Morning Joe, where Co-Founder Mark McKinnon says that Mayor Cory Booker “was No Labels before No Labels was cool.”

Watch this clip from Morning Joe, where Joe Scarborough says that No Labels is “very important.”

Read the rest of…
Press from No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work

 
The RP   ,  

National Press Lauds No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work

By Jonathan Miller, on Wed Jan 16, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET

No-Labels-imageWe did it. The Meeting to Make America Work! was a huge success — we unveiled Gov. Jon Huntsman and Sen. Joe Manchin as new national leaders, and introduced our group of congressional problem solvers.

The problem solvers all agreed — they need your help to fix Washington. Click here to tell your representative and senators to join the group of problem solvers in Congress!
This group will be transformational in Washington — and national press is noticing. Here’s some of the coverage we received:
Thanks for all you’re doing to make our government work.
 
The RP   ,  

Video from Yesterday’s No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work

By RP Staff, on Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 10:00 AM ET

No-Labels-imageYesterday, nearly 2000 Democrats, Republican & Independents joined in New York for No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work.

Co-founder Jonathan Miller was joined by national dignitaries such as Senator Joe Manchin, Governor Jon Huntsmann, Mayor Cory Booker, and Senator Kelly Ayotte, and a bank full of national press.

Here’s an excerpt from the Associated Press’ report on the event:

Duke SucksFiscal cliffs and debt ceiling fights are out. Problem-solving is in.

Members of Congress, governors and mayors from across the political spectrum joined more than 1,000 political activists Monday under the No Labels banner, calling for a series of reforms in Congress to address fed up voters and dysfunctional politics. Only weeks after a polarizing election and big fight in Congress over taxes and spending, they said Washington needs a new attitude…

“We realize this is not going to be easy. There are real philosophical differences between Democrats and Republicans that can’t be papered over with mere pledges of civility,” said Jonathan Miller, a No Labels co-founder and former Kentucky state treasurer. He quipped that Congress’ approval ratings was “somewhere below Brussels sprouts and Lindsay Lohan although it is slightly above root canals and Duke basketball.”

Check out the event video below.  And be sure to sign up for their mission to promote problem-solving, not hyper-partisanship at nolabels.org.

 
The RP   ,  

Darth Vader Responds to the President

By Jonathan Miller, on Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET
 
The RP   , ,  

LIVE stream of No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work

By Jonathan Miller, on Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 7:00 AM ET

No-Labels-imageRIGHT NOW, until 2:30 PM, nearly 2000 Democrats, Republican & Independents have joined in New York for No Labels’ Meeting to Make America Work.

Join co-founder Jonathan Miller, as well as national dignitaries such as Senator Joe Manchin, Governor Jon Huntsmann, Mayor Cory Booker, and Senator Kelly Ayotte by following the LIVE FEED BELOW.

And be sure to sign up for their mission to promote problem-solving, not hyper-partisanship at nolabels.org.

 
The RP   ,  

No Labels to Unveil 25 Congressional “Problem Solvers” at Meeting to Make America Work! Jan. 14 in New York City

By Jonathan Miller, on Thu Jan 10, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET

lisanolabelsEleven of the problem solvers will join 1,300 citizens and No Labels Honorary Co-Chairs Gov. Jon Huntsman and Sen. Joe Manchin at No Labels Meeting in New York City

WHAT: No Labels, a national grassroots movement of hundreds of thousands of Republicans, Democrats and everyone in between will unveil 25 problem solvers who have committed to regular meetings to build trust across the aisle. Eleven problem solvers (listed below) will be in attendance at the meeting. No Labels, dedicated to a new politics and attitude of problem solving, is hosting its Meeting to Make America Work! on Monday, Jan. 14, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Gov. Jon Huntsman (R-UT) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) will be unveiled as the organization’s honorary co-chairs. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Sen. Angus King will also be speaking at the event, along with many other notable business and political leaders.
WHERE: Marriott Marquis, 5th Floor — Times Square, 1535 Broadway, New York
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., January 14
Gov. Jon Huntsman and Sen. Joe Manchin will lead a National Citizens Conversation on “The New Politics of Problem Solving” at 10:30 a.m., followed by a 12 p.m. Press Conference with Gov. Huntsman, Sen. Manchin, and Congressional “Problem Solvers.”

Broadway Superstar Deborah Cox, a multi-platinum selling and multi-talented entertainer, will be performing the No Labels Anthem at 12:30 p.m., eastern time. Press availability to follow.
For a detailed schedule of speakers and timing for the Meeting to Make America Work! on January 14, please visit: http://hq.nolabels.org/page/-/Press%20releases/MMAW%20PRESS%20Agenda.pdf

WHO: No Labels National Leaders:
Gov. Jon Huntsman (R-UT)
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Friends of No Labels:
Newark Mayor Cory Booker
Sen. Angus King (I-ME)
Deborah Cox, Broadway Superstar and Grammy Nominee
Congressional Problem Solvers:
Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI)
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY)
Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA)
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT)
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL)
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI)
Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA)
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR)
Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)
No Labels Co-Founders:
John Avlon — Contributor, CNN
Lisa Borders — Former President of Atlanta City Council
Bill Galston — Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Kiki McLean — Senior Partner, Porter Novelli
Mark McKinnon — Global Vice Chairman, Hill and Knowlton Strategies
Jonathan Miller — Former Kentucky State Treasurer
David M. Walker — Former U.S. Comptroller General
Ron Shaich — Founder and CEO, Panera Bread
WHAT: No Labels is a grassroots movement of Democrats, Republicans and everyone in between dedicated to promoting the politics of problem solving.
PRESS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING MUST REGISTER FOR PRESS CREDENTIALS.
Please contact Maggie Simpson at simpsonmas@comcast.net or 301-657-2298 to register for credentials to cover this event.
Press interested in scheduling interviews with a No Labels co-founder or Congressional speaker should also contact Maggie Simpson to arrange interviews in advance.
To learn more about No Labels, please visit http://www.nolabels.org/. You can also visit http://Facebook.com/NoLabels and http://Twitter.com/NoLabelsOrg
 
The RP    

Were the Mayans Just a Month Early?

By Jonathan Miller, on Wed Jan 9, 2013 at 11:15 AM ET

 

Snow in Jerusalem?

 

 

Flooding in Tel Aviv?

 

Dogs and Cats Living Together?

Dogs and Cats Living Together?

Read the rest of…
Were the Mayans Just a Month Early?

 
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