Nader Fails to Make Oregon Ballot

[central scrutinizer]

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/politics/index.ssf?/base/politics-3/1081221556127890.xml

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Of all states, Ralph Nader should have had no trouble getting onto the Oregon presidential ballot given the support he's had here.

Most political observers had expected Nader would easily draw enough supporters at a Monday evening petition-signing rally intended to make Oregon the first state to qualify Nader for the 2004 ballot.

But only 741 people showed up — far short of the 1,000 required by Oregon law.

end excerpt.

Could this be the beginning of the end?

[tabasco]

1. I really wish Nader and his utopian followers ...

would just go away to the mountains and start a commune.

[liberalhistorian]

7. Look, I agree totally,

but don't you think we need Nader's followers to be on our side in order to get rid of the Bushistas this fall? What good does it do to ostracize and pillory them, that is NOT going to get them on our side.

Maybe if we actually worked with them, and showed them Nader's role in electing Shrub and how he's actually hurting the country not helping it, and instead of ostracizing and castigating them, we just might actually get somewhere.

And believe me, I didn't used to feel this way at all, and I still am very resentful, angry, and bitter towards Nader the Enabler especially since he only bashes Dems instead of the REAL danger, the GOP and the Bushistas, is totally unrepentant for his role in electing Shrub and still insists that there's no difference between the parties when anyone with half a brain cell can see what Shrub is doing to the country and how we cannot afford another four years of it. But his followers and those who voted for him are a different story, we need to work with them, and value their beliefs and needs, not against them.

[R Hickey]

8. Republicans give Nader financial support...

so some of Nader's followers need not be coddled. Maybe the others can find a place in the Republican Party, like the Log Cabin Republicans.

[Alexander]

10. No, we don't need his supporters.

Just look at how few of them there are.

[liberalhistorian]

11. LOL!

Good point, indeed, he has a lot less support this time. Gee, I wonder why??????????????:evilgrin:

[Zero Gravitas]

16. They're not on our side

and thats the problem. If they were on our side, they'd be supporting our candidate not some Don Quixote. They apparently (presumably most/all of them know that there is a 0% chance of Nader winning) would rather see four more years of Busholini than see a Democrat in the White House.

[belle]

21. Right; I mean, why not try and convince the Freepers? The Naderites

nay be nominally closer to "our side," but they're just as stubborn, the die-hards I mean.

[NightTrain]

19. I find it increasingly difficult to defend Nader against his critics.

And I say this as one who voted for the man both in 1996 and 2000!

When it gets to a point where Nader calls Bill Clinton a draft-dodger, and claims that a Gore administration would've invaded Iraq too, I really have to wonder if he has finally gone off the deep end. Whatever the case, though, such comments are both uncalled for and indefensible.

Ralph, what the hell happened to you?!

[belle]

20. Hey, if it's really only 741 people in Oregon, I say go ahead and pillory

frankly.

[eyesroll]

2. He still has other chances

He just has to collect a whole mess of other signatures.

[Zero Gravitas]

3. Good

I hope things only get worse for Nader the Enabler despite all that GOP money thats rolling in.

[buff2]

4. Awwwww.......ain't that just a cryin shame....

:cry: Poor Ralph,the spoiler. :nopity:

[bif]

5. Take a hint Ralph and sod off!

n/t

[NNN0LHI]

6. Must be only 741 Republicans in Oregon n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. I WISH there were only 741 Republicans in Oregon

but they dominate the rural areas of the state, and therefore the state legislature. :-(

[Lugnut]

9. Cool!

:thumbsup:

[info being]

13. I went to his speech yesterday in Seattle

It was interesting. I agree with everything he says. But I don't think Democrats have anything to worry about this time around. It seems like the Progressives are getting tired...discouraged, etc. Just where you want us.

[The_Casual_Observer]

25. I don't think is it "progressive" to hand bush the election

[Blasphemer]

14. Unfortunately....

I think he will get the 15,000 signatures he needs. Not getting on the ballot in Oregon would be a pretty big blow so I assume they will be aggressive about getting those signatures.

[central scrutinizer]

18. he only needs 1,000 to get on ballot

but still it must be damned discouraging when he pulled 10,000 in 2000 to his Portland rally but only 741 this time.

[Blasphemer]

26. Can he do this kind of rally again?

The article indicates that he will try to get 15,000 in 3 months, the other option.

[Emboldened Chimp]

15. hahahahahahahahahahaha...

...hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

:party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast:

[_NorCal_D_]

17. Good news.

Oregon was pretty close in 2000:
Gore: 720,342 46.96%
Bush: 713,577 46.52%
Nader: 77,357 5.04%

http://www.uselectionatlas.org/USPRESIDENT/

[alarcojon]

22. Does anyone know what kind of numbers he has been getting

at other rallies? I sure hope he gets the message soon.

[JPZenger]

23. Some States have very tough rules to get on the ballot

Some states require that all people who sign a petition to get on the ballot must not have voted in the primary.

Almost all states require that persons who sign a petition must be registered voters of that State. The paperwork must also be filled out perfectly, including complete legal names. It is common for someone to use challenges to knock some of the signatures off a petition. Therefore, Nader may show up with 500 more signatures than are required in a State, but 1,000 of the signatures are not considered to be valid - so he is not placed on the ballot.

In the last race, I believe Nader paid millions to hire people to get him on the ballot. This year, his big money sources have dried up (except Republicans).

If he really wanted to defeat Bush, Nader would only get himself placed on the ballots in the States where Kerry does not have a chance of winning.

[JPZenger]

24. Negative Ads May Push People to Nader

There will be a few hundred million dollars worth of negative ads during this election. The ads will be concentrated in the swing states. Unfortunately, this negativism may push people to a 3rd party candidate.