More than 1,500 New Hampshire voters crammed into a New Hampshire hotel Monday to hear eight presidential candidates and a host of national politicians and business leaders discuss the importance of bipartisanship at the No Labels Problem Solver Convention.
The event, organized by the nonpartisan political group No Labels and the D.C.-based newspaper The Hill, featured an array of Republican and Democratic politicians discussing the importance of political compromise.
Former Utah Governor John Huntsman, co-chairman of No Labels along with former 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., likened the event to “speed dating with presidential candidates.”
Participating presidential candidates included current real estate magnate Donald Trump, Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, Gov. George Pataki, R-N.Y., Gov. Martin O’Malley, D-Md., Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
“I think it’s fair to say there’s never been a gathering quite like this in the great Granite State,” Huntsman said. “In fact, I’ll bet the country has never seen an event like this.”
The convention also featured remarks from Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., as well as other politicians.
While most of the candidates and politicians focused on the oft-invoked themes of problem solving and bipartisan collaboration, Trump drew particular attention to his negotiating skills.
“I like the word compromise,” Trump said. “We need compromise. There’s nothing wrong with compromise, but it’s always good to compromise and win. Meaning, let’s compromise – and win.”
Not everyone at the bipartisan convention was impressed with Trump’s bluster.
“In the spirit of problem solving, I’m wondering if you’re at all concerned that some of your divisive language that you use on the campaign trail undermines your ability to solve problems?” one woman asked him during a question-and-answer session, to loud applause.
Gardner’s remarks were greeted more receptively. After coming on stage to the tune of Mumford and Sons’ “Home,” Gardner spoke about the need to rise above the current political scrum.
“The American public has grown tired of the over-the-top grandstanding, the pointless posturing and the broken cycles of promises,” Gardner said.
During the final days of the 2014 U.S. Senate election in Colorado, No Labels actively supported then-Rep. Gardner in his campaign against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Udall.
“I appreciated the opportunity to address No Labels, a group dedicated to nonpartisan solutions to the challenges our country faces,” Gardner said. “Although the American people have become frustrated with business as usual in Washington, a steady drive to pass on a better country with more opportunities remains. The American people have the courage to tackle big problems, and it’s time for their elected representatives to follow that lead.”
Edward Graham is a student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern with The Durango Herald.