Should Fitrakis (Green) Be On The Ballot For Ohio Governor?

[rucky]

As long as everybody's chiming in on Ohio state politics, I thought I'd pose this question because I've been asked to join a petition drive to help Green Candidate Bob Fitrakis make it on the ballot for the Ohio Governor's race.

Yes, I said "Green" but before we begin our knee-jerk reactions, this is a pretty unique situation where him being in the race may actually help the Democrats:

When the 2004 Ohio presidential results appeared highly dubious, Fitrakis was the first one to step in and contest the results. Even though the Democratic party distanced themselves from the fight, Fitrakis continued to gather evidence, and has come up with a very convicning case for election fraud. I very much appreciate the work he's done and have some good reasons why I think he deserves to be on the ballot:

1) See above for his track record and merits - he would make a great governor.

2) Blackwell will likely be the GOP nominee. With those two going toe-to-toe, you know election fraud will be raised.

3) As good of a Christian as Blackwell claims to be, the best prayer he has of winning is the fact that he'll pretty much be counting the votes. There WILL be fraud - in the primaries and the general. No doubt about it.

4) Yes there are 3 pretty solid Democratic candidates in the running. GOP corruption is on the agenda for Ohio Democrats, but it's limited to coingate and Abramoff. The GOP scandals have seriously dragged down their party here. If this can somehow become a clean election, the Democrat is likely to win. The chances of it being a clean election greatly increases if Fitrakis is in the race.

Polls will determine how I vote in the general election, but I'm definately up for working to give Fitrakis a fair shake on the Green Party ballot.

[ikojo]

1. If Fitrakis gets enough signatures to qualify (which

depending upon the political affiliation of the person verifying the signatures can be iffy) then YES, he should be on the ballot. ANY American has the right to run for office and he is willing to get out there.

No one party owns our vote, all candidates must EARN it. That is one of the problems with the Democrats, when their base starts a third party they are demonized so the Dems run further to the right. When the pug base forms another party or even threatens to do so, they are embraced and invited to the table to set the agenda.

[B Calm]

2. Will the Libertarians have a candidate on the ballot too?

[B Calm]

3. hmmmm...................

[roseBudd]

4. Fritakis said in DU chat that he had a witness & a map to a warehouse

in Warren County where 40,000 ballots were diverted in '04. I prefer he concentrate on that.

[maddezmom]

5. locking

DU is not the place to support third-party (or independent) campaigns.