Nader Admits Difficulty Getting on Ballot

[rodbarnett]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Ralph Nader acknowledged Monday that it will be difficult to get his name on the ballot in all 50 states in his independent bid for the presidency.

Nader, whom Democrats blame for costing Democrat Al Gore the election in 2000, lacks major party support or resources for his candidacy that has riled the Democratic Party. Unlikely to get the Green Party nomination, he faces an uphill battle to get on the ballot, which requires money and signatures

<snip>

The first target is Texas, where Nader needs 65,000 signatures in a 60-day period from voters who are not participating in the Democratic or Republican primaries.

"It won't be easy," Nader told reporters at a news conference.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040223/D80T4D680.html

[Freddie Stubbs]

1. Without the support of a party that exists in every state

I doubt that he will be on the ballot in all 50 states. I can imagine that many (but not all) of the people who work for him last time will be having second thoughts.

[NoPasaran]

4. It may be even harder than it sounds

Unless the Texas law has changed recently (which is unlikely since neither party likes to make it easier for third parties to get on the ballot) those signatures need to come from registered voters who did not vote in the primary election of either party.

[Goldmund]

6. Not many Republicans voted in primaries.

And my insinct tells me that Republicans are most likely to give him signatures in the first place.

[demnan]

2. Maybe he could get signatures from the Bush daughters

since I read here this morning they are not "Republicans".

[LeftCoast]

3. Awww...poor Ralphie

</sarcasm>

[Blue_Roses]

5. TEXAS of all places

now that is interesting. Hmm..wonder why he is starting there. It WILL indeed be an uphill battle there.

[Old and In the Way]

7. Let's suspend reality for a minute and assume he gets elected.

Then what happens? Not much.