GOP Openly Launches Nader Petition Drive. SURPRISE!!!

[mzmolly]

In an email I received today I learned the following:

Bush Forces Now Driving Nader Ballot Efforts in At Least Five Battleground States: Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, Pennsylvania & Michigan

The American Right has now openly launched a full-scale campaign in support of getting Nader on battleground state ballots. While in 2000 such support was covert or provided so late that disclosure was only required after the election, in 2004 there is now an open alliance: It's the GOP, Bush, Dick Armey... & Ralph Nader.

The "support" from right-wing Bush groups now seems to dwarf Nader's own campaign organization. In Pennsylvania alone, and fresh from its Nader work in Oregon, Dick Armey's right-wing "think-tank" Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) boasts an organization of 10,000 volunteers to get Nader on the ballot<1>. In Michigan, meanwhile, the state GOP has announced the Party will actively circulate petitions for Nader's ballot campaign<2>. Such massive reactionary forces backing Nader's campaign calls into question whether Nader needs any campaign allies or organization at all -- it hardly matters if the Green Party refuses Nader ballot access, or if the Reform Party grants it. Nader's campaign is now the golden child of America's most powerful political machine -- the Corporate and Religious Right.

And there's no question about why this is taking place. Bush forces are quite explicit.

As CSE put it in the phone script for their Oregon campaign for Nader:

"…Ralph Nader is undoubtedly going to pull some very crucial votes from John Kerry, and that could mean the difference in a razor-thin presidential election. Can we count on you to come out on Saturday night and sign the petition to nominate Ralph Nader?"<3>

Perhaps Nader has been correct all along: he's been saying he'd get lots of conservative support. But please, Mr. Nader, let's not confuse the Pro-Bush Right putting you on the ballot with them actually voting for you. They know how much harm your campaign can do to progressive causes. We only wish you could face the same reality.

Published by the Progressive Unity Voter Fund, sponsors of RalphDontRun.net, DontVoteRalph.net, and PollWatch04

Uhm, people are voting for Nader because they want to clean up politics? Some how I'm having trouble reconciling this.

[oasis]

1. Nader getting help from ex-house majority leader, Dick Armey, a Texan

and most likely a Rove operative.

[yellowcanine]

2. Ok I think this will backfire on Bush.

Rove may be surprised at how many votes Nader pulls from Bush. This is desperation politics. Kerry will win PA even with Nader on the ballot.

[oasis]

17. IMO,this information will not have adequate exposure to reach the average

GOP voter. However, many Greens and Naderites who are generally well informed, may see this a a major sellout by their guru.

[Catch22Dem]

3. O-tay Naderites

What say you?

[mzmolly]

5. Here is what they say. Be sure to listen closely.

[realisticphish]

4. How

in the name of God can anyone vote for Nader now? I wasn't that hostile to him when he first decided to run, but now its clear that he is an egomaniacal blind man (no offense to the disabled)(or men, for that matter), who cares only for publicity.

[mzmolly]

6. Well I think there is a reason he appeals to the young.

It's called naivete ;)

[realisticphish]

7. hey I'm 18

It don't get much younger than that :)

[mzmolly]

8. *ehem* Well uhm, I guess your less naive then many of your peers

phish. ;)

I have hope for you kid! :pals: I meant no offense to the younguns round these parts. :hi:

[realisticphish]

9. no hard feelings

:hippie: peace

[mzmolly]

11. Peace.

:hippie:

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

10. This is amazing. Seriously.

What in the Hell is Ralph tyring to do? Hes' not disowning this?

[mzmolly]

12. His exact quote when questioned was on this subject was ...

"Republicans are people too." :eyes:

YEA RALPH, BUT THEY'RE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO PROGRESSIVE VALUES ... GET IT?!

[drmom]

13. Isn't it time we play dirty too?

After seeing the "Nader effect" in action, I really think it is time for the Dems to actively sponsor (covertly, of course) a super-right-wing, fundamentalist candidate for the next election. If even a fraction of the money contributed to the DNC and Democratic nominee went toward this guy (of course, it has to be a man...the RWers wouldn't stand for anything else), a campaign could be launched to attract the far-right away from the republican base. The platform could be very simple... anti-gay, anti-abortion, pro-born-again Christian (with a bit of covert racism thrown in). Just think, how could any self-respecting fundamentalist NOT vote for the guy...they would certainly burn in hell. This would certainly draw at least 5% away from the republicans.

[Zynx]

14. And he would never turn down their help.

[randr]

15. There must be a way to convince a few hundred thousand

of these idiots to vote for Nader.
A vote for Nader is a vote against Kerry!
A campaign should be started immediately to enlist repugs for Nader.

[mourningdove92]

16. I don't think the Nader donkey will fly this time around.

there are a lot more disaffected Repug voters this time, with no where to go with their votes, except stay home or vote Nader.

I don't think Kerry/Edwards has anything to fear from this quarter.

[Forkboy]

18. Smart move by the GOP for two reasons

One,obviously,if it hurts Dems it help the GOP.

Two,it plays right into Naderphobes hatred and helps create even more division,thus circling nicely back to point One.

[mzmolly]

19. Yes, you'd think a uniter like Nader would see through their sinister

plot? ;)

[Forkboy]

20. I dont know if he considers himself a uniter or not

even if he does I would hope that others would be smart enough not to play into the hands of this sinister plot :shrug:

[mzmolly]

21. I agree. A vote for Nader *is* a vote for Bush.

:P

I do hope we can prevent Nader supporters from becoming unwitting tools for Bush by pointing out the facts though?

I sat by in 2000 and quietly respected Nader's run while questioning his hypocricy. I can't be quiet while he aids Bush "again" regardless if some consider that divisive. We Dems tried that once, didn't work ... ;)

Also, Nader could defuse this situation himself if he chooses. He could prove he's not a tool for shrub by telling the Republican's he doesn't want their support/money (as his running mate suggested)

So far, I've yet to hear him say anything remotely close to that. :shrug:

Perhaps his supporters will press him to do so?

[Forkboy]

22. The GOP isn't just hoping the Nader supporters are the unwitting tools

they're banking on the Nader haters as well.It takes two to tango and create a wedge.It's what they're counting on.

Perhaps his supporters will press him to do so?

When I find one I'll ask :)

[mzmolly]

23. So criticizing Nader and pointing out his hypocrisy makes one a "Nader

hater" and Nader doing the same to the Dems makes him a "hero?"

Somehow I have trouble making sense of this. :shrug:

Sorry Forkboy, but as they say "fool me once ... ;)

[Forkboy]

24. No

I'm saying that by constantly giving Nader free press you help not only Nader,who needs any press he can get,but the GOP who is using him as a wedge between moderates and lefties like me who aren't too thrilled with our choices this year.For many Nader is a progressive (I dont think of him that way,but many do),hence an attack on Nader is seen by many as an attack on progressives.If you percieve someone as attacking you and your beliefs does it make you want to help them? I'm positing that it does not...and that's EXACTLY why the GOP supports Nader.The constant attacks on Nader alienate people we need,just like the GOP wants.

[mzmolly]

25. But it could be argued "Republicans are people too" as Nader pointed out

thus all criticism of Bush should be halted?

I used to feel the way you do Forkboy, no longer. This position unfairly puts Dems in a box that no one else in this election is placed in. It ties our hands.

Perhaps I'm comfortable criticizing Nader because he was a hero in my home growing up? 4 of my immediate family members strongly considered voting for him in 2000, as did I. I eventually chose Gore as did 3 of my family members, but I feel had by him. I don't want others to vote for him without knowing who he is first. EVERY candidate in this race gets scrutiny, Nader should be no exception.

I was a Dean supporter, Kerry now has my support, but he wasn't my first choice. In fact, he was only the first choice of about 20/30% of Democrats in the beginning. So, most of us are in the same boat on this.

Also, Nader will get the press because * supporters own the media. You don't see Cobb getting this kind of attention? Or anyone that could hurt Bush for that matter, why?

I know many people who respected Nader once and no longer do. The reason - Dems are not lying down taking it this time.

Lastly the fact that Nader is seen as a progressive, means we've still got work to do.

We may have to agree to disagree on this one FB. :hi:

[KittyWampus]

26. I'm Laughing. Maybe The Cancelled Election Trial Ballon

has gotten to me... but it's getting to the point where you either have to start laughing at this shit- or go mad.

[mzmolly]

27. Yes, it's laugh or cry at this point.

:(