Democrats File Suit Against Nader's Appearance on Colorado Ballot

[Hawkeye-X]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Jonathan Neal
Communications Director, Colorado Democratic Party
501-519-0988

Democrats File Suit Against Nader's Appearance on Colorado Ballot

Denver, CO, Sept. 13, 2004

The Colorado Democratic Party has announced that it has filed a lawsuit in District Court in Denver challenging the legality of Ralph Nader's appearance on the state presidential ballot, and will request prompt action by the court in response to this suit.

"Ralph Nader's appearance on the Colorado election ballot was not achieved in compliance with Colorado election law," said Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Chris Gates. "The Democratic Party welcomes any candidate to the ballot as long as they play by the rules. Since John Kerry and John Edwards have diligently followed state law in gaining access to the ballot, it is only fair that we expect Ralph Nader to abide by the same laws as the other candidates on the ballot."

The Reform Party, which nominated Nader, is led by Shawn O'Hara, who has aided the defense team of a Ku Klux Klan member, supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion and has argued for the execution of doctors and nurses who perform abortions. "Ralph Nader should renounce his Reform Party nomination and stop his alliance with a group that upholds such radical, right-wing views," said Gates.

The lawsuit challenges the Colorado Secretary of State's certification of the nomination of Nader-Camejo by the Reform Party because:

1. Nader and Camejo had not been affiliated with the Reform Party for twelve months before they were nominated, as is required by Colorado law. In fact, fourteen days before they were nominated, Nader signed an affidavit claiming that his party affiliation is "unaffiliated." "Not only was Nader unaffiliated with the Party before he was nominated, but his political beliefs are obviously a complete departure from the policies of previous Reform Party nominees," said Gates. In 2000, the Reform Party nominated ultra-right wing figure Pat Buchanan to their ticket, and Buchanan's views on everything from civil rights to the role of religion in public life to the existence of the Holocaust are anathema to Nader supporters. "Clearly, Nader and Camejo have no connection to the Reform Party whatsoever," Gates said.
2. The Reform Party missed a crucial filing deadline with Colorado Secretary of State. The law states that the Party should have filed a certificate reporting Nader and Camejo as the Party's nominee within four days of their convention, and they failed this requirement. "Legal deadlines aren't arbitrary and aren't negotiable," said Gates. "This is a black-and-white issue."
3. The Reform Party failed to properly nominate presidential electors for the state of Colorado, making any electoral votes that they might receive here meaningless. "The law is very clear on this point, and again, they did not follow the law," Gates said.
4. The Reform Party failed to give proper notice of their national convention to the Secretary of State. "This legal requirement was followed by all of the other parties represented on the ballot, and the Reform party once again failed to abide by the law," Gates said.

"We welcome some of the points of view that Ralph Nader espouses, and we believe that Nader's opinions on the environment, corporate accountability, reliance on Middle East oil, a woman's right to choose, and fiscal responsibility are reflected in the positions of John Kerry and John Edwards," Gates said. "However, Nader must play by the same legal rules as everyone else, and he has obviously failed do so."

Gates called on supporters of Nader's ideals to endorse the Kerry-Edwards plan for a stronger America. "Voting for John Kerry and John Edwards is the best way to make sure that America will have a president that will fight for the issues that Nader cares about," Gates said. "America can do better, and with Kerry and Edwards in the White House, we can begin to remedy the damage that George Bush has done to our state and our nation."

- END -


------------
Jonathan Neal
Communications Director
Colorado Democratic Party and
Colorado Victory 2004 Campaign
777 Santa Fe Dr.
Denver, CO 80204
office: 303-623-4762
cell: 501-519-0988

[hlthe2b]

1. Looks like they've been following the FLA court case....

Good. Regardless of how anyone feels about Nader, he has clearly tried to illegally game the system, IMO. He has no ethical qualms about doing so; Dems need to call him on this and fight.

[bob reynolds]

2. part of it is a good letter..

but the part that basically says "they shouldn't be on the ballot because we don't like the way this one guy thinks!" doesn't add anything.

[Ediacara]

3. where does it say that?

[bob reynolds]

4. it's the essence of this paragraph

The Reform Party, which nominated Nader, is led by Shawn O'Hara, who has aided the defense team of a Ku Klux Klan member, supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion and has argued for the execution of doctors and nurses who perform abortions. "Ralph Nader should renounce his Reform Party nomination and stop his alliance with a group that upholds such radical, right-wing views," said Gates.


otherwise there's no point in the paragraph being in the letter

[Gingersnapsback]

5. They should challenge Bush on the FL ballot

siting irregularities in filing.

[Joylaughter]

8. Exactly!

Why must 3rd party candidates have to follow the letter of the law in getting on ballots but the President of the US can miss deadlines for filing and still get on Ballots? This double standard is just another flaunting of their disregard for the rule of law.

[Ediacara]

6. Sounds to me like they're

Highlighting the huge political differences between Nader and the Reform Party.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. Is it possible... that Nader is sending messages to

groups overseas.... in morse code... with his right eyelid?? I hope this isn't mean... but it does unnerve me... apologies to him if it is all done in innocence.... :)

[Almost_there]

9. I hate this even being an issue

What bothers me about the fact that we are sitting here discussing if Nader has the right to be on a ballot is that he might make a difference. I personally believe that he should be on the ballot. ANd while I wouldn't vote for him, I think keeping someone off the ballot is completely wrong.

I know, I know, Nader cost us the election, but, the same can certainly be said for good ol' H. Ross Perot, who got 20% of the popular vote! I doubt anyone here complained then, since he took mostly from the repubs, but, still, he had every right to be on the ballot, as does Nader, or anyone else that legally gets on. Libertarians are always there, as often are Green Party candidates, etc etc.

What really irks me is that the damn race is so close that Nader's 2 or 3% can actually tip this thing towards Bush, and that we have to choose between keeping him off or running the real risk of losing certain close states. Kerry should be so far ahead that Nader could get 10% and still be a non-factor.

~Almost