Nader '00 voters voting for Kerry, check in here

[Paragon]

Amidst all the throngs screaming that Nader is stealing Kerry votes, I thought it'd be cool to list those of us switching (or switching back) to the Democrats.

I admit it - I did it, in the red state of Ohio. I was a political neophyte at the time, and have since learned my lesson -- the DNC still isn't perfect, but change will happen within the party, not without it.

[bryant69]

1. I am switching as well

My vote in 2000 was based on the oft repeated theory that Gore and Bush were essentially the same guy. That theory turned out to be false.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[TiredTexan]

2. Me too.

I voted for Nader in the Red state of Texas. Won't do it again, no matter how red Texas is.

[jono]

3. Another repentant Nader voter here

Voted for him in WA state (which was generally considered "safe" right before the election). It was my first presidential vote, and I too was operating under the "no difference" ruse. I won't be doing THAT again! :D

[bluestateguy]

4. Nader didn't quite get enough to swing Ohio in 2000

So your conscience can be clear, but yes a Nader vote in Ohio this fall could very well swing the state to Bush.

Here in Texas I would say about 1/3 to 1/2 of Nader voters I know personally are going to vote for Kerry, even though it's a largely symbolic act in this Bush loving state.

[Paragon]

7. I'm aware of that.

Had it been closer, I would've voted for Gore.

But this time, "voting my conscience" means voting for John/John. Easily.

[Pachamama]

5. I voted for Nader in CA in 2000...I figured at the time it was "safe"

...since I was in CA at the time and knew it would go the way of Gore. I had been frustrated with Gore and the Dem party and I liked the 3rd party message and the platform of the Green Party, but that was then, and this is now. I don't believe my vote went for "Bush", but I won't ever take my vote for granted. I swore to myself then and have been living by the words ever since that I will do everything I can to make sure Dimwit isn't given the opportunity to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave anymore. Besides financial donations, I volunteer my time and am very active in every way I can.

Meanwhile, my Mother, who lives in Palm Beach County, Florida (that's right folks, home of the butterfly ballots) voted in 2000 for Nader. She does feel responsible and sick to her stomach about her vote and she and all the other Florida Nader voters she knows are NOT voting for him again.

I'm going in October to work on get out the vote campaigns in Florida and then on election day to drive people in Palm Beach County to the polls. I'm going to pack the kids and live with "Omi" that month and send in my absentee ballot in CA. My dream is to wake up on Nov. 3rd and be able to celebrate in FL the election of Kerry/Edwards.....

[Cha]

17. How Sweet!

I think you will wake up and celebrate in Florida! I get chills just thinking about it!

[eridani]

24. Nader 2000 in WA state

I checked the polls up until the last minute for sending in my absentee ballot. Would have wussed out if it has been a closer race here. This year, not taking the chance at all.

[Ruby Romaine]

6. The party will change if we all get involved.

I'm running for precinct delegate, I keep telling people, don't complain, get involved.

[Pachamama]

8. Good for you Ruby...I think when my kids are a bit older, I will do it too

...just like the old saying goes - Think globally, act locally...

I am hoping more people follow this and start taking back their govt' and like Howard Dean says, it starts locally in your own backyard...

[Melodybe]

9. Voted Nader here in MS and I still regret it.

I just wish Gore had been the man he is today, 4 years ago.

[Ruby Romaine]

26. Don't beat up yourself-use that energy to help elect President Kerry!

:)

[lagniappe]

10. Voted for Nader in 2000 only because Bush owns Texas.

I was really pissed at the Democratic party. I would have held my nose and voted for Gore if it had been a swing state.

I like Kerry and will vote for him, but the Democratic party is still spineless and has lost its way.

[Paragon]

11. Well, then...

...good thing you & the rest of DU are here to restore their spine!

:thumbsup:

[Renew Deal]

13. Keep kicking their ass

That's what I have been trying to do.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

22. Yep

only this year I decided to join the Dems and make changes from the INSIDE!!!

Whooo!!!

[prodigal_green]

12. in

check.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Not switching parties, but am voting for Kerry. Would consider

signing up as a Dem as my second party since Greens allow for dual party membership, but I don't think that Dems allows for it.

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. Count me in.

I voted Yella Dawg Democrat for years until 2000. Marriage does strange things to a person!

reprehensor convinced me that in a red state like Texas, it wouldn't matter, and that Canada had finally developed several political parties, and that this was the way to do it.

I fell for it. Never again.

He can't vote down here, so it was sort of a group vote and we discuss everything, but I'll be damned if I'll be THAT stupid again.

All his fault ------> reprehensor <--- Him, this guy I'm married to!

[wicket]

16. Here!

[Cha]

18. I know someone who did and is now voting for Kerry.

My friend here in New York. And it could even be a safe vote but she wants bush out like I do above all else.

[RandomKoolzip]

19. (sigh....) Yes, I too voted for Nadir in 2000.

Regrets? I've had a few. "Oh, Gore will cinch it. There's no way the American people will be so stupid as to vote for Bush." Had I known that Bush would STEAL the damn election and be assisted in this by Ralphie siphonig off lefty/Green votes like mine....well, I woulda voted Gore. It's Dem for me from now on....

You wouldn't be able to pay me enough to vote for that union-busting, employee-exploiting, GOP enabling egomaniac today. Fuck you, Ralph, and that Corvair you rode in on, too.

[Downtown Hound]

20. I voted for Nader in the very blue state of CA

And it doesn't matter how blue it is, I wouldn't vote for that asshole again if somebody paid me to do it. He is as fanatical as Bush and just as narrow-minded. His core belief system is just different.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

21. I didn't vote for Nader in 2000 but I did vote third party

(Libertarian, don't ask me WHAT the hell I was thinking, ok?)

And I am proudly, happily voting for Kerry. I'd vote for him 5 gazillion times if they let me.

Yeah.

On edit: as did a lot of other people, I assumed Gore would get it. NEVER AGAIN.

And I don't give a crap WHAT color state I'm in. I will never think THAT way again, either. Every vote counts.

[ajacobson]

23. I voted for Nader in 2000 and I don't regret it a bit

-it administered a big kick in the ass to the Democratic Party and that was a good thing. For the first time in a long time, the DP had to look over its left shoulder.

IMHO the grassroots approach of the Dean campaign, the use of the internet fundraising, etc. would have never happened if it wasn't for the 2000 election getting spoilt.

I also admit to buying into GWB's charade (that he was a generally a moderate). I didn't think, considering both AlGore and GWB's dash to the center, that there was a whit of substantial diff. No such confusion this time.

I am afraid of the Kerry campaign snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They can still win by staying focused on the core issues of the economy and the war. If they stray from that, we're cooked.

[Senior citizen]

25. Yup, but I didn't give Nader money, and I donate to Kerry.

I don't feel badly about not voting for Gore. No matter how many votes he'd had, the pukes would still have stolen the election and he'd still have gone along with it. Kerry has been working hard for a long time to ensure that this election isn't stolen--he's not only going to win, he's going to fight to make sure the win counts. Gore doesn't know how to defend himself in a dirty fight--Kerry has the combat experience behind him to not only know how to defend himself, but also how to know when a fight isn't fair and what to do about it.

[Crunchy Frog]

27. Nader voter in 2000

Would not dream of voting for him this time around. I have dabbled in voting Green over the past few years, but will be voting straight ticket Democrat in this election.

[mandyky]

28. Voted Nader in 2000

Plan to vote Kerry this time.

His debate with Howard Dean a few weeks ago, showed Ralph for what he seems to be.

[CWebster]

29. At the last minute I voted for Gore

due to a full page ad the Green Party took out in the NYTimes imploring swing state voters to seriously weigh their decision.

In retrospect, I do not regret the vote for Gore, as he has evolved and found his own voice of integrity, independent of the DLC grip. There is no secret that I do not care for Kerry. I prefer Nader on the issues, but due to a combination of factors, he should reconsider his approach--it is becoming self destructive and that damages his purpose. I hope to continue to respect Nader and, at least, grow to respect Kerry.

[terrya]

30. I voted for Nader in 2000 in Illinois. I bought into the stupid idea...

that there wasn't any difference between Gore and Bush. God, was I so fucking naive then.

Mea culpa, folks. And an apology.