Author Topic: If you're candidate is unsuportable... (Read 455 times)

capt. apathy · « **on:** June 26, 2004, 11:36:40 AM »

support Nader. 2 conservative groups have decided that their efforts to support Bush would be better spent supporting Nader.

I can't say I blame them. getting someone to take their vote from Kerry and give it to Nader, would be a much easier argument to win than convincing a reasonable person to give Bush 4 more years.

Quote

from katu.com

Conservatives seek to help Nader, and ultimately Bush

By BRAD CAIN
SALEM, Ore. - Two conservative groups have been phoning people around Oregon this week, urging them to attend Ralph Nader's convention Saturday in hopes of putting Nader's name on Oregon's presidential ballot.

The groups make no bones about their goal - to draw votes away from Democrat John Kerry and help President Bush win this battleground state in November.

"We disagree with Ralph Nader's politics, but we'd love to see him make the ballot," said Russ Walker of Citizens for a Sound Economy, a group best known for its opposition to tax increases.

The Oregon Family Council also has been working the phones to boost attendance at Nader's event - with the idea that it could help Bush this fall.

"We aren't bashful about doing it," said Mike White, the group's director. "We are a conservative, pro-family organization, and Bush is our guy on virtually every issue."

Even if it comes from an unusual source, Nader can probably use the help, given that this will be his second attempt to win a spot on Oregon's ballot.

In April, Nader held an evening rally in Portland that was intended to attract 1,000 people needed to sign petitions to put him on the ballot. Only 741 showed up.

Nader placed some of the blame on supporters tuning in the NCAA basketball championship game, which occurred the same night, rather than attend the rally.

The 70-year-old consumer activist plans to travel to Portland on Saturday for the second convention, which will be held at a local high school.

The move by the Republican-leaning groups to try to increase attendance at Nader's mini-convention is entirely legal.

State law says that for Nader to qualify for the ballot as independent candidate, he need only draw 1,000 registered votes - regardless of their party affiliation - together in one place to sign petitions for him.

The head of Nader's Oregon campaign, Greg Kafoury, said he's had no contact with the two conservative groups that have been calling people this week. But he said he's not bothered by their actions, either.

"It's a free country; anybody can come to a political convention," Kafoury said, adding that he's hopeful Nader will draw enough people to qualify for the ballot this time.

If Nader qualifies for Oregon's ballot, polls suggest that he could be a factor in whether Kerry or Bush wins the seven electoral votes of this swing state in November.

In the 2000 election, Nader got 5 percent of the Oregon vote in one of the closest presidential contests in the country. Democrat Al Gore edged George Bush by less than 1 percent of the vote.

Democrats such as Neel Pender, executive director of the state Democratic Party, are convinced Nader threw the 2000 election to Bush and might end up playing a spoiler's rule again this year.

Pender said he's not surprised the GOP-leaning groups like Citizens for a Sound Economy and the Oregon Family Council are overtly helping Nader this time around.

"They recognize that every vote for anyone other than John Kerry increases the likelihood that George Bush will be re-elected," Pender said.

"Only Ralph Nader's hubris prevents him from reaching the same obvious conclusion," he said.

Toad · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2004, 11:54:32 AM »

I do wish we had a viable third party here. One that grew into enough power to be the "tie breaker" between the other two groups of professional thieves.

rpm · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2004, 11:59:43 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Toad
I do wish we had a viable third party here. One that grew into enough power to be the "tie breaker" between the other two groups of professional thieves.

Thought we had a shot at a viable 3rd party with Perot, but he screwed that up.

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2004, 12:06:27 PM »

Yep.

The Libertarians aren't reall good at it either but at least they're there every time.

I really would like to see a "swing" factor in the Congress. Both parties take it as gospel that they are the only choices. Be good to introduce a little doubt.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2004, 12:44:19 PM »

ya, it's really depressing, like you're stuck in a trap and know there's no way out.

when a 3rd party candidate comes on the scene he's the biggest threat to the very groups who he would most apeal to.

while he's a savior for the candidate who he's the most opposed too.

most people who would want Nader would never vote for Bush, but if they vote for Nader, Bush is likely what they will end up with.

SLO · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2004, 01:19:09 PM »

yup....

we are having the same problem up North....

you know...the country thats gonna take over for you guys.....

we got 3 people running and not for the life of me would I vote for them....no other choice though

my follow canuckians.....who you guys voting for?

capt. apathy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2004, 01:59:38 PM »

a candidate should have to have at least 50% of the vote to win. and voters should be able to vote for 'none of the above'.

it shouldn't be enough to have the most yes votes. if none of the candidates can get a majority, then let some new guys take a try.

at least with a system like that, if you wanted a candidate who wasn't main-stream, you could vote for them with out having it help out a candidate that you can't tolorate.

AKIron · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:04:53 PM »

How about a vote of no confidence? If it wins then all government ceases and we start anew.

Eagler · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:11:15 PM »

lesser of two evils, has been for the last 40 something years, the Republican Party

Nilsen · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:27:23 PM »

How many serious and big partyes are there in the US that you can vote for on national elections?.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:29:05 PM »

2 (and they both suck)
the rest just drain votes from the big 2.

Nilsen · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:33:17 PM »

Aha, we have about 6 here.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2004, 02:40:05 PM »

I'd like to see none.
just require each candidate to fill out a questionnaire where they state their views on a list of issues, and a statement as to why they would be good for the job. let them stand up for themselves instead of being propped up by some political machine.