Bloomberg to join in launch of new group that will emphasize non-partisan solutions

By: CNN Senior Producer Kevin Bohn

Washington (CNN) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent, will join several leading Democratic, Republican and other independent political leaders in the launch of a new group that hopes to find non-partisan solutions to some of the nation's problems and to impact the next Congressional session.

The organization, known as No Labels, kicks off Monday in New York with a series of panels discussing some key political problems in America and how it can help find common ground.

Besides Bloomberg, among the participants in Monday's event are: Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York; Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia; Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut; Reps. Mike Castle, R-Delaware and Bob Inglis, R-South Carolina; Former Republican congressman Tom Davis and Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist, ran for Senate this year as an Independent.

Led by columnist and CNN contributor John Avlon, Republican political consultant Mark McKinnon and Democratic consultant Kiki McLean, the No Labels group aims to look at politics through a new prism and wants to urge political leaders not to abandon their political labels but set them aside in order help find solutions.

"No Labels will create a space where ideas can be judged on the merits, not their conformity to pre-fabricated stereotypes. The point is not whether America moves left or right; it's whether we move forward.

And that's what the majority of Americans are yearning for," the group describes its mission.

Veteran political analyst Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institution said it will be difficult for this type of group to change the political dynamics.

"They are obviously confronting very strong head winds," but added, "Why not throw something into the mix?"

Bloomberg grabbed national headlines with a speech this week saying government should chart "a middle way" to help fix the economy and attacking today's political climate.

"The country is growing more and more frustrated with government's inability to keep America prosperous and fair and more skeptical that the jobs we need are coming soon. As families struggle to get by, they have seen little but partisan gridlock, political pandering and legislative influence-peddling," Bloomberg said as he outlined steps to tackle unemployment, spur job creation and push growth.

"Both parties follow the mood of the moment – instead of leading from the front. They incite anger instead of addressing it – for their own partisan interests."

Aides to Bloomberg said he does not have plans to run for President in 2012 although his speech and involvement in this type of effort are stoking speculation.

"You can see why Bloomberg is involved," Mann told CNN. It helps "to create a market for an independent candidacy."

"We have seen these efforts before to explore some alternative, a third party candidacy...they haven't gone anywhere," Mann added.

With the Republicans taking control of the House, it is unclear what its impact will be on the political climate in Washington.

Recently there have been some bipartisan efforts in Washington to try to come up with solutions particularly regarding the nation's growing debt. However, political experts are doubtful those initiatives will result in any concrete action in the near future.

"I am skeptical of any short-term agreement between the two parties on the big fiscal questions confronting the country. There are real differences" that will have to be argued out in the political process, Mann said.

He added any effort that could help bring some honesty and clarity to the political debate will help the process.

Group officials say they expect more than 1,000 ordinary citizens from all 50 states to participate in the launch event Monday. They are aiming to build chapters in all 435 congressional districts.

Polls after the election have shown Americans want political leaders to reach across the political aisle to get things done. Forty seven percent said it is more important to compromise to get things done than to stick to their beliefs, according to a USA Today-Gallup poll last month.

According to state registration statistics, about a quarter of Americans on average consider themselves as independent. In several states the number of people registered as independents tops those affiliated with either political party: Alaska, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

There will also be a little jamming at the Monday kickoff with a performance by Grammy-nominated singer Akon, who will perform a song he wrote and recorded titled "No Labels."

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