People, Politics, Punditry
August 6, 2004
NADER NOTES
This may be what you can call independent logic. Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader Thursday released an angry letter to a critic to "stop making false statements concerning allegations of Republican support."
The letter was faxed and mailed to ex-Naderite and former Connecticut congressman Toby Moffett. Moffett helped organize an anti-Nader strategy session at the Democratic National Convention last month and, despite his former allegiance to Nader, has been charging that Nader is allowing Republican groups antithetical to the consumer advocate's politics to help him get on state ballots.
Nader wrote that his campaign is accepting individual support from Republicans but rejecting any manipulation from right-wing groups. He also gets personal in attacking his former protege. "If the media focused on who you really were - a corporate lobbyist - it would not be surprising that you oppose our candidacy since our focus is challenging the corporate domination of Washington, D.C., and its erosive impact on domestic and foreign policy."
Moffett, who works as a lobbyist for the Washington-based Livingston Group, did not return a message seeking comment.
Curiously, on the same day the letter was released, Nader's staff confirmed that the independent candidate has applied for credentials to the Republican National Convention at the end of the month.
So, Nader is not a Republican, he is not accepting help from the Republican Party, but he wants to be at the Republicans-only party. Huh?
Well, at least he's consistent. Nader also is not a Democrat and is certainly not accepting help from Democrats - they won't give him any - and he tried to get into their party in July. The Democratic National Committee turned him down ... twice.
No word on whether the Republicans will be more welcoming.
Meanwhile, Nader's race to get on state ballots was helped this week when campaign volunteers in Connecticut handed in 12,000 signatures to the Secretary of the State's office. He needs 7,500 valid signatures to appear as a choice for presidential voters.
The next few weeks will determine whether Nader will meet his goal of getting on more state ballots than he was in 2000, 43. So far, he will be on the ballot in New Jersey and is in play for 21 other states.
Janice D'Arcy