July 19, 2004
GANDER, MEET GOOSE:
Republican Help Pushes Nader Close to Spot on Michigan Ballot: Ralph Nader appears likely to secure a spot on the Michigan presidential ballot, but Democrats are calling for him to withdraw. (MATTHEW L. WALD, 7/19/04, NY Times)
Mr. Nader had gathered 5,400 signatures on petitions in Michigan but stopped collecting them over a month ago, deciding instead to go after the nomination of the Reform Party. After he stopped the petition effort, though, a split within the Reform Party made it uncertain that he would get the nomination.But last Thursday, the deadline for submitting signatures, more than 50,000 signatures were submitted on behalf of Mr. Nader. The state requires 30,000 signatures.
It appears that it was the Republican Party that stepped in to help Mr. Nader. It is widely believed that if Mr. Nader is on the ballot in Michigan and other states, he would draw more votes from John Kerry, the likely Democratic nominee, than from President Bush.
Funny how the Democrats didn't see any problem in 2000 in having their members cross-over to vote for John McCain in the GOP primary.... Posted by Orrin Judd at July 19, 2004 11:56 AM
Around here, the folks gathering signatures to put Nader on the ballot seem to be mostly stoner college students. The last one to approach me couldn't get a coherent sentence out and couldn't explain why (beyond, "It's not fair") Nader should be on the ballot. I told him in less than polite terms to get a job, start paying taxes, stop smoking dope, and leave me alone. My girlfriend (a solidly conservative native Texan) signed his petition.
I should probably learn to control my irritation with hippie scum a little better, but it was the Fourth of July and he was soliciting during the fireworks.
Posted by: Random Lawyer at July 19, 2004 1:10 PMWasn't the over-arching argument made by the NJ Supreme Court that the people deserved a choice?
Posted by: jim hamlen at July 19, 2004 3:53 PMBut you see, these are not the Right Kind of People. Whereas those were.
Posted by: joe shropshire at July 19, 2004 6:19 PM