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Elected officials and activists from around the country gathered Monday to bemoan the excesses of political partisanship and seek ways to restore civility and practical solutions to government.

The inaugural meeting of a group that calls itself No Labels drew lawmakers from across the country, including Republican-turned-independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Evan Bayh of Indiana and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York; and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

In an auspicious sign for the fledgling movement, however, the Columbia University gathering also attracted several GOP-aligned officials who were defeated in last month's midterm elections: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican who lost an independent bid for the Senate; Delaware Rep. Mike Castle, whose Senate bid was derailed in the Republican primary by tea party candidate Christine O'Donnell; and South Carolina Rep. Bob Inglis, who was trounced in the Republican primary by a more conservative challenger.

"It wouldn't be left or right, but forward" for the government to focus on core issues like national security, better jobs and cleaner air, Inglis said, adding he had been heckled by both liberal and conservative audiences when trying to press for practical solutions.

In panel discussions, most attendees said they did not expect an independent third party to take root, despite the frustration many voters feel about the current hyperpolarized system. On Sunday, Bloomberg - who seemed poised to launch an independent presidential bid in 2007 and again this year - ruled himself out as a candidate.

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