Nader (In an about face) Accepts GOP Signatures for Ballot

[papau]

Yesterday Ralph Nader let Michigan Republicans help him qualify for the state's presidential ballot without a fight. The Michigan GOP submitted about 43,000 signatures last week; Nader's campaign about 5,400. Coast to coast, lots of pickup on the AP story.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NADER?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Nader Accepts GOP Signatures for Ballot

By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN Associated Press Writer

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- In an about face, Ralph Nader decided Monday to accept thousands of petition signatures collected by Michigan Republicans if that's the only way he can qualify for the state's presidential ballot.

Last Thursday, Michigan Republican Party officials submitted 43,000 signatures - far more than the 30,000 needed - to ensure Nader could appear on the ballot as an independent. Republicans began collecting signatures after it appeared that Nader might not get on the ballot as the Reform Party's candidate for president.

Nader's campaign had turned in about 5,400 signatures. But spokesman Kevin Zeese said it stopped collecting them a month ago after the national Reform Party endorsed Nader and it looked as though he could get on the ballot as its candidate.

But there has been a growing dispute over who controls the Reform Party in Michigan. One group claiming to be the legitimate Reform Party of Michigan plans to nominate a presidential candidate for the ballot at its state convention Saturday. Chairman Matthew Crehan, of Muskegon, Mich., has said there is no guarantee Nader will get that nomination.<snip>


http://www.freep.com/news/politics/nader20_20040720.htm
Mich. GOP collects most signatures for candidate

July 20, 2004 BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF
FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF

Ralph Nader won't turn down a Republican helping hand to get on Michigan's presidential ballot.

Nader decided Monday to accept a ballot spot as an independent candidate, thanks to the 43,000 petition signatures the state GOP collected on his behalf. A spokesman said the Nader campaign is keeping its options open, while it pursues the Reform Party's nomination for the state ballot.

Michigan Democrats hope to thwart Nader by combing the Republicans' nominating petitions for enough invalid signatures to disqualify Nader. He needs at least 30,000 valid signatures to win a ballot designation as an independent.

Nader's campaign turned in about 5,000 signatures. Democrats pleaded with Nader to withdraw as an independent by the deadline Monday. <snip>

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/Today/2004071915

July 20, 2004
Nader camp admits hiring controversial firm

By Tom Searls staff Writer

Presidential aspirant Ralph Nader’s campaign readily admits it has hired a controversial Florida firm to gather signatures, in an effort to get the independent candidate on the West Virginia ballot.

“You have to do what you have to do to get on the ballot,” Kevin Zeese, Nader’s campaign spokesman in Washington, D.C., said about utilizing JSM Inc. employees.

The firm has 49 petitioners registered with the Kanawha County circuit clerk — most from outside West Virginia — and a number of complaints about their actions have been lodged with the news media and the Kanawha County prosecutor’s office. <snip>

Nader has used the firm in several states, including Arizona, where his petition drive came up short on signatures after officials discovered the firm had used a convicted felon to collect signatures, something illegal there.

In West Virginia, at least one employee refused to say what candidate the petition represented. “That person no longer works for the campaign signature-collecting firm,” said Zeese, who labeled most of the complaints as “exaggerated.”<snip>


http://www.thenaderfactor.com/

July 20, 2004
TheNaderFactor.com Calls on Ralph Nader to "Keep his Word and Stop Taking Help from the Right Wing"

<snip>The Nader Campaign reversed its stated position, as reported by the AP, taken just days earlier to refuse right-wing Republican efforts to use Nader's candidacy in Michigan to help the Bush campaign.

"What we saw in Michigan yesterday is that Ralph Nader is willing to sell his very integrity and soul to the extreme right-wing," said Chris Kofinis, strategist for TheNaderFactor.com, "What is so amazing is that Nader would accept help from the same Republicans that have tried to destroy every progressive cause he has ever stood for. This is a truly tragic moment in the legacy of Ralph Nader."

With 104 days till the election, Republicans have launched a widespread effort to both fundraise and help Nader's floundering candidacy qualify for the ballot in key battleground states. Right-wing Republican efforts to help Nader qualify for the state ballot have been documented in Michigan, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. As reported, Republicans leading these efforts have publicly stated that their interest in the Nader campaign is driven by a desire to help Bush keep the White House.

"Nader has effectively given a "green-light" to every right-wing group to do everything they can to help his flailing campaign," said Tricia Enright, President of TheNaderFactor.com. "If this Republican effort to help Nader grows who knows what level it may reach. I guess we shouldn't be surprised if VP Dick Cheney is soon dropped and replaced with Nader? <snip>

[Cha]

1. Good ...the rethugs can vote for him too.

If nader only got 5,400 signatures then maybe that's about all who want to vote for the tweedledee&dum.

[Beloved Citizen]

2. Ralphie the Bushie's new lapdog.

Now a vote for Nader really is a vote for Bush.

[qazplm]

3. after this

anyone on the left who votes for Nader IMO is a rabid (and blind) idealist with not a practical (or non-naive) bone in their body.

[Mountainman]

4. So what Naderite wants to tell us that his running doesn't help

Bush's chances? What do you know that the repubs don't know?

[FredScuttle]

10. "But, but, but..."

"Kerry and Bush are the same! We won't realize our utopian vision of a perfect democracy without Nader! Kerry's hands are dirty too! Waa-waa!"

(my poor imitation of the usual Nader supporter 'round these parts)

[Bo]

5. The swine shows his colours

[mac56]

6. My grandma always told me -

"We are known by the company we keep."

[Demeter]

7. Have You No Shame, No Sense of Honor?

The political equivalent of hari-kiri. Ralph has totally debased his earlier reputation as a man of the people. Who wants to vote for such a narcissist?

[Worst Username Ever]

8. I think we all know that the repugs want him on the ticket

to take dem votes, not so they can vote for him themselves.

[napi21]

9. This could be a good thing!

Ralphie is pi**ing off the Dems, and maybe giving some of the Pubs an alternative if they're upset with the shrub. If he keeps accepting Pub support, it could work that way.

[qazplm]

11. the only way this will "work"

is if those on the far left who were going to vote for Nader, see him for what he really is, an egotistical glory hound who is not a man of principle but a man who wants to get on the ballot and stick it to the Democrats he clearly hates any way he can, and vote for Kerry.

Seems to me at this point, ALL their hands are dirty, Kerry, Bush AND Nader now. So why not vote for the guy who can win and who is the most like the rest of us? That would be Kerry.

After today, Nader fails the "ideaolgical purity test".

[napi21]

12. Correct! And that's what Nader has done by accepting the Pugs.

I do think he will pi** off any of the far left Dems by asking and letting the Pubs get him on the ballots in any state. The only fear I have is that they will be so angered, they just won't vote at all!