[Once-Ler]

but the democrats did learn not to underestimate the power of taking their candidate's votes.

Let us say you are correct. Let us say they proved that the 'rats can't count on the green vote. Has the rat party grown stronger in anyway to because of Dubyas 2000 win? Not according to the 2002 elections, and it seems very likely that Dubya will win again in 2004. Now do you think the Greens are happy that they made their point? I know Paleos see no differenece between Dubya and Gore. But Republicans and rats sure do. If I was a 'rat I would not consider Greens to be my allies.

Right now I smile when I see Nader. I like Greens taking votes from rats. The 'rats love Paleos and the media will attempt to play them to their discontent as much as they can. possible.

[FITZ]

I know --- both main parties have their unfriendly alliances --- the Republicans have the Conservatives, the Democrats have the Greens. It's kind of a balance maybe --- neither party gets to make the fringes too unhappy ---- really they need the votes. It's kind of like any coalition ---- there has to be some common ground, in the case of the Republicans, the CEOs and country club types have to find some kind of common ground with the working middle class types. The democrats have to find common ground between the welfare moms, the feminists, hollywood actors, environmentalists, illegal aliens and inner city blacks. To me the democrats really have a harder coalition to maintain.

[FITZ]

Now do you think the Greens are happy that they made their point?

I don't know if they are --- they might be. They at least know they can't be completely ignored --- and what was interesting, Gore tried to paint himself as a big tree hugger but still lost the Green vote. I'm not sure Nader's group has grown closer to the democrats or if they're further gone. The democrats probably can't win without them ----- although Gore did come very uncomfortably close. I think it shows why the Republicans shouldn't be telling the unemployed middle class to get lost or go vote for a democrat.