Florida to list Nader on the ballot

[Zen-like Todd]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3658302.stm

Florida 'to list Nader on ballot'

Ralph Nader can be listed on Florida ballots as a candidate in the US presidential election after a ruling by the state electoral chief.

The decision contradicts a temporary court order which told Florida to keep Mr Nader off the ballot.

The Democratic party has reacted angrily, calling the move "blatant partisan manoeuvring".

It fears the decision could help President George Bush win the key swing state, where his brother is governor.

In a memo to Florida county election supervisors, Florida State Elections Director Dawn Roberts said Mr Nader's name should be included on ballot papers.

She said she had been forced to act ahead of a hearing on a permanent injunction on Wednesday because of potential disruption from Hurricane Ivan.

'Leg up for Bush'



The Democratic Party has challenged Mr Nader's appearance on the ballot as a Reform Party candidate on the grounds that the organisation does not qualify as a national party under state law.



"I'm in disbelief," said Florida Democratic party chairman Scott Maddox after news of Ms Roberts's decision.

"This is blatant political manoeuvring on the part of [Governor] Jeb Bush to give his brother a leg up on election day."

Governor Bush said he agreed with the latest decision.

"It's up to the judge to determine, based on the law, whether Nader should be on the ballot or not," he said.

The Reform Party has accused the Democrats of stifling democracy.

"Scott Maddox wants to decide whose votes get counted," party spokesman Patrick Slevin told the Miami Herald.

Legal battle

A legal battle has been raging over Mr Nader's candidacy in Florida.

Florida circuit judge Kevin Davey issued a temporary ban last week, siding with the Democratic challenge.

On Monday, Republican State Secretary Glenda Hood created confusion when she restored Mr Nader to the ballot by appealing against the temporary ban - a move which automatically lifts it.



Judge Davey is due to hear the case on Wednesday to decide on whether or not to impose a permanent injunction.



The case is also due to be heard by the state Supreme Court, but only after Judge Davey has made his decision.

The confusion over the issue has caused havoc with deadlines for printing ballot papers for the election in November.

Overseas absentee ballots are due to be sent by the weekend.

A number of counties have decided to print two ballots - one with Mr Nader's name on it, and one without.

Mr Nader was an independent candidate in the 2000 US presidential election, when Mr Bush controversially won Florida and the presidency.

Analysts say most of the 98,000 votes Mr Nader won in Florida would have gone to the Democratic candidate Al Gore had Mr Nader not appeared on the ballot.

That would have changed the overall outcome of the election, they suggest, and put Mr Gore in the White House.

[Kilmer17]

Wow, I cant say I like the way this is going down, but I do like the result.

It was the inevitable ending. The SCOTUS would have stepped in and slapped the partisan FLA Courts once again. This way just saves time.

The problem is that it does somewhat hurt the Judicial branches powers.

[pr11fan]

The Democratic party has reacted angrily, calling the move "blatant partisan manoeuvring".

The only part that was blatant partisan manuevering was their trying to keep Nader off the ballot in the first place. I bet they'd be all for getting anyone on the ballot that would steal votes away from bush though.

[Sea Bass]

Instead of trying to block Nader from getting on the ballot, why don't they try to win the Nader voters to their side?

Do they really think that these people would vote for Kerry after the shenanigans they just pulled? If Nader is removed, these voters aren't going to be very happy with the party that just got their guy removed from the ballot.

It doesn't matter because Nader will ultimately win. Only a court that is biased towards the Deomcrats would ever take Nader's name off the ballot.

[Destino]

Originally posted by pr11fan
The only part that was blatant partisan manuevering was their trying to keep Nader off the ballot in the first place. I bet they'd be all for getting anyone on the ballot that would steal votes away from bush though.

Right the ONLY part of this that was blatant partisan manuevering was the actions taken by the democratic party.....

I guess the GOP rush to help Nader thing was just good will?

If you aren't prepared to be honest, be prepared to be called on it.

[Cskin]

The Democratic party has reacted angrily, calling the move "blatant partisan manoeuvring".

As if their attempt to keep Nader OFF the ballot wasn't the same "blatant partisan maneuvering".

Aaaa.. the liberal logic.... gotta love it. Anyone smell that... that smell.... smells like desperation.

[TC4]

Go get'em Ralphy!!!!