posted on September 21, 2004 03:33:46 PM new
Nader Blames Kerry for Ballot Access Fight
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By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader (news - web sites) accused his Democratic rival Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) on Tuesday of being responsible for a campaign to try and keep him off the Nov. 2 ballot.
Seen by many Democrats as the "spoiler" in the 2000 election that elected Republican George W. Bush as president, Nader's campaign said it was fighting 21 legal cases in 17 states in a bid to get the consumer advocate on the ballot.
Nader pointed the finger at Kerry and Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe for being behind what his campaign says is a program of harassment, intimidation and phony lawsuits that are costing tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
"The ballot access has drained our time and our resources," Nader told a news conference. "I have to hold Sen. John Kerry and Terry McAuliffe directly responsible."
The Kerry campaign did not immediately return phone calls asking for a response.
Nader's campaign played a tape they said was testimony by the head of the Democratic Party in Maine who is heard saying that the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) is paying for her time and expenses related to trying to keep Nader off the ballot.
he Nader campaign said that kind of coordination appeared to be illegal and should be investigated by the Federal Elections Commission.
His campaign said Nader was on the ballot in 29 states.
Nader called the Democrats "gutless, spineless, clueless and hapless" and said their gamble that people would vote for anyone but Bush was misguided and would make them lose the election.
Democrats around the United States have been challenging Nader's presence on the ballot, fearing he will again boost Bush's re-election chances by drawing votes that would otherwise go to Kerry.
Polls indicate the 2004 election may be as close as the one in 2000 when the Supreme Court ruled on the Florida recount to hand Bush victory over Democrat Al Gore (news - web sites).
Last week, Florida's Supreme Court ordered Nader could be allowed to compete in the state and a judge also ordered that he be included on the ballot in Colorado.
Judges in New Mexico and Arkansas have denied Nader access to the Nov. 2 ballot, but he did win a spot on the ballot in
posted on September 21, 2004 03:39:52 PM new
Yep...the good ol' democratic party is not really for democracy after all...especially if it might interfer with their chances of winning this election.
I laughed at this statement: "The Kerry campaign did not immediately return phone calls asking for a response." This has been going on for MONTHS...and they haven't returned anyone's calls.
Democratic party lawyers have been spending big bucks to take away an American's [in this case Nader] right to run for office. Hounding him in everyway possible. Didn't do this in 2000 but now they're willing to pay to keep what they see as a threatening challenger off the ballots. So much for democracy.
posted on September 22, 2004 05:49:51 AM new
Sorry, that's an invalid argument/statement. The Clinton/Bush Sr. election was in no way as close as the Bush Jr./Gore election. Now, having said that, I truly question how much affect Nader really had.
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
Sniping works up a thirst"