Nearly two-thirds of the delegates to next week's convention in Boston say they don't think Nader's longshot independent presidential campaign will cost presumed Democratic nominee John Kerry support this fall, according to an Associated Press survey of delegates.
Many Democrats blame Nader for taking enough votes from Al Gore to help President Bush win the 2000 election. Party notables such as former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean have pleaded with Nader to exit this year's race.
In key states like Arizona, Democrats have mounted legal challenges to keep Nader off the ballot. At the same time, some Republican groups have tried to help Nader win ballot spots in Oregon and Michigan.
Nader lashed out at both parties in a statement Wednesday: "We want them to get off our back, leave us alone, stop trying to infiltrate our campaign and let us compete in an already rigged two-party political system."
http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040723/D840AL980.html