Posted on 10/15/2004 3:00:09 PM PDT by Kokojmudd
PHOENIX - A federal appeals court on Friday rejected independent candidate Ralph Nader's bid to appear on Arizona's ballot.
The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came two weeks after early voting for the Nov. 2 presidential election had begun in Arizona.
Nader attorney Robert E. Barnes said it's unlikely that the campaign would appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Nader had filed a lawsuit in mid-August alleging the state's requirements for third-party candidates are unconstitutional.
A federal judge had denied his request to appear on the ballot and refused to give Nader another chance to gather signatures to compete in Arizona.
Earlier in the summer, Nader supporters had submitted signatures to qualify the consumer advocate for Arizona's ballot. But they abandoned their effort after Democrats questioned the validity of the independent candidate's nominating petitions.
Many Democrats blame Nader, a Green Party candidate four years ago, for taking away liberal votes from Democrat Al Gore and helping ensure President Bush's victory.
Nader didn't take away enough votes from Gore to overcome Bush's lead in Arizona. Even if Nader's 45,000 votes had gone to Gore, Bush would have still beaten the Democratic nominee by 50,000 votes here.
Who cares? It's not like Arizona is in play.
I'm just wondering, what drives this man? I mean, what is Nader trying to accomplish? I don't see it. He is the chronic presidential candidate. I would think he'd get a little tired of all this.
Somebody explain to me what difference it makes if you're on the ballot, or not. Aren't write-ins allowed in every state? It can't be an arguement of legitimacy when you're only expected to pull 1-3 percent, anyway.
It doesn't matter, anyway. AZ is in the president's pocket I am proud to say.
Believe me, most Nader supporters are far too stupid to remember write-in.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.