Republicans for Nader
By Byron LaMasters
The Republicans wanted Ralph Nader to run. They want him to be well funded. They want him to be able to take his message to America. Does anyone wonder why?
The Dallas Morning News reports:
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is getting a little help from his friends – and from George W. Bush's friends.
Nearly 10 percent of the Nader contributors who have given him at least $250 each have a history of supporting the Republican president, national GOP candidates or the party, according to computer-assisted review of financial records by The Dallas Morning News.
[...]
More than 24 Nader contributors of $250 or more – about 10 percent of his total – are otherwise reliable GOP donors, The News review found.
Mr. Paulucci, the creator of Chun King and Jeno's Pizza Rolls, donated $2,000 in February to Mr. Nader.
The Florida frozen-food executive is a prolific contributor to the GOP, giving more than $150,000 to the Republican Party and national candidates since 2000.
Is there any better proof that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush?
Update: Didn't notice it earlier, but Kos is on the story as well. He observes that it is likely that the 10% figure climbs as the campaign moves on as Nader taps out his personal network of supporters. I'm quite inclined to agree.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at March 27, 2004 06:24 PM
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Just where is this Nader support coming from? At least two-thirds of the people who I know voted for Nader in 2000 now see the error of their way and are supporting Kerry.
If it is mostly old hippies and lefties with graying pony tails who back Nader, there's not a lot you can do about them.
But if Nader is getting support from younger voters, a massive education campaign might get them to think twice.
A lot of younger voters (obviously not BOR readers) don't know exactly how the electoral college works. Some remedial civics may help them make better choices. And those who value civil liberties should be reminded just who appoints Supreme Court justices.
Ralph Nader will not get one electoral vote and will certainly never appoint anybody to the Supreme Court. The biggest mistake of the Gore campaign was to neglect pointing this out to voters.
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Not a lot of time and money should be wasted on keeping Nader off the ballot in mega-red states like Texas, Utah, and Alabama, or mega-blue states like New York, Illinois, or Massachusetts.
There's a lot to do and we shouldn't worry about pointless symbolism.
